One Way Street

 Proverbs 13:13b: "....he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."

Is it just me or do you ever feel like you are walking in the opposite direction of most everyone around you? You're like trying to follow directions from here to there.....following what you believe to be the roadmap....or in today's world the GPS..... And you catch up with a fellow traveler going your direction every now and then. But there are hoards of people going the opposite direction? Sometimes, you just have to stop and ask: who's going where here? 

I've been thinking about Bible Patriarchs this morning.  Their true stories are based on what looked like silly decisions in one sense. But on the other hand, their stories all are recorded because of their obedience or disobedience. Obedience being willing to do what you are told to do. Disobedience being the failure or unwillingness to obey.

Adam and Eve failed the test. They are a prime example of human curiosity to see what happens if you don't choose to confirm to the rules. Result: a life of wandering outside God's protection. 

Noah went to work building an Ark for a flood in a land where it hadn't ever rained. He daily endured ridicule and was made to look and feel like a fool. But he kept pounding. Result: refuge when the world around him was drowning.

How do you gain an inheritance by leaving home? Certainly, Abraham probably had that question. But he unfailingly trekked across unknown territory because he was following directions. He obeyed and is known as the " Father of Faith"

Many of the children of Israel died before seeing Canaan because they grumbled, complained and disobeyed. 

On the other hand, the new  Israelite generation who chose  to follow Joshua into the Promised Land met with immediate big problems: Jericho. Because of their example of disobedience by their forefathers, they could have turned back or panicked or questioned. But they chose obedience and silently marched around Jericho for 6 days. They were marching on a promise. God had already told them this insurmountable city was theirs. Joshua, a military leader, led them in a feat without a fight. Just a challenge of obedience! And the walls tumbled!  This, after wondering for forty years, lost, because of disobedience. What a lesson!

I know a little about obedience. I was a child. I am a parent. I have been a teacher. I am under civil authority and respect the laws of the land. I have been employed and understand company policy is necessary for the success of any business. So I believe I respect authority and the need for obedience to it.

I am amazed at the disrespect I witness in this world around me. I seldom walk through a store to purchase anything without witnessing a full blown battle of the wills between child and parent! Not to say this doesn't happen from time to time....but something is wrong with the picture I see of the lack of respect for authority. When I witness the altercations, I can plainly see the child is rebellious and, also, the parent cannot be respected because of the way they are handling it.

Adults display disrespect in restaurants and other public places. Name calling, and nasty slurs fly about wherever you choose to be these days. it is the day of self expression. It's all about "me". There is little respect for rules.

I'm concerned that I remain a part of the remnant who choose to be respectful and grateful and obedient. It is tempting to join the crowd. But when I am, I remember those before me who walked on in obedience, risking rejection and even bodily harm. They were walking down a one way street headed to their given destination.

It's a choice; this matter of an obedient heart or a willful, proud, and disobedient attitude. I stood in the Walmart checkout behind a little, old confused lady last evening. She took a long, long time. I could have become impatient and made a scene. But I  chose to stay behind her and to make sure she was ok. That really was the One Way. The cashier kept watching me to see if I was upset. I just kept smiling and made positive comments. You could tell she was relieved and surprised.

What a different world it would be if more people exemplified patience and respect and obedience in daily living. I still like my Roadmap. Still on course. Smiling at the people going the wrong direction. I'm on a One Way Street. No turning around. Hoping that amidst all the shouting, pushing and shoving, they might turn around and join me! Yes, I sometimes feel silly but  I am still confident. I deliberately turned on this street way back there!

"Always take the high road. Sometimes it will be a one way street, but you're never going the wrong way."  Unknown