Read: Mathew 7:13-14
Meditation verse:
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
I got into a traffic jam, whilst returning from work a few days ago. The gridlock was so bad that we remained on the same spot for a while. And then several cars began to take a diversion to drive on the lane meant for those coming from the opposite direction, because it was clear and free of cars. For a while, they sped by, whilst those of us who remained on the right lane appeared foolish.
Suddenly, our lane opened as if there was no gridlock in the first place. As I drove by, I observed that those who took the wrong lane had gotten stuck in an even worse gridlock, because they had come face to face with those coming from the opposite direction. And there seemed no way out of the jam. As I pondered on this incident a short while later, I was reminded of the scripture thatsays, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”.
We are living in extremely difficult times. Economic downturns and rising costs of living have led to all kinds of corruption and evil. The temptation to take the short cut is high. Evil seems to be thriving on all sides. Mathew 7:13 also warns, “enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it”. It was tough to watch those cars drive past us. I also had no way of knowing they would get stuck ahead, but I was determined not to join them to take the wrong lane.
What about you? Sooner or later, you may find yourself in an extremely challenging situation. The question is “how would you respond”? Will succumb to the temptation to cut corners or will you stay on the straight and narrow lane, even if you are the only one standing there? “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mathew 7:14). May God’s grace be sufficient for you to remain on the right lane. “The end of thing is better than its beginning. The patient is spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).
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