Christian Living

MAKING THE CROOKED ROAD STRAIGHT

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
04/03/20
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

 PROLOGUE

We are created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) We have a mind with which to think. We have a will, which enables us to make choices.  Just think of all the choices we make within our life time. Where we go, whom we talk with, where we live, what roads we travel, whom we marry, where we go to school, our career choices, and on and on. 

According to a Columbia University study, the average person makes about 70 decisions every day. That’s 25,500 decisions a year. In a 70-year lifespan, it is 1,788,500 choices we’re making. Yes, it's true, we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Good choices mean good decisions, which require well-rounded Biblical wisdom. (James 1:5) In doing so, we should gather the right information. (Proverbs 2:1-11)

One main question to ask ourselves, “What does God’s Word say about it?” Whatever it says, be sure to obey it. (I John 5:3). And, if nothing is said, you need not fear a decision. (Romans 14:2-6,22)

In this blog, you’ll see that I am doing a lot of allegorical writing, Similar to these allegorical writings are the New Testament parables which our Lord often used in His teaching to prove a point of doctrine.

Both writing styles have an ability to freeze the temporality of a story, while infusing it with a spiritual context, the only difference being that our Lord's parables were inspired by God, through His Son Jesus Christ to have a lasting spiritual effect on our lives. (II Peter 1:20-21)  (II Timothy 3:16)

My blogs, however, are along the line of a fictitious literary genre, a contemporary mixture of secular and spiritual characteristics.  In other words, this blog could be considered a parable of sorts; an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

This fiction blog presupposes the difference of walking in the Spirit, as opposed to walking in the flesh, according to the Fifth Chapter of Galatians.

I trust you will enjoy this little modern day parable based on the dictates of Scripture. Please sit back now and read “Making the Crooked Road Straight.”    

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.” (Isaiah 45:2)

Only one month left till my retirement from this long-lived career as the leading professor of Advanced Biblical Studies. I admit this well-acclaimed Bible college has been good to me and my family all these years. I guess I’m just tired and worn out. I surely need a little time of relaxation soaking up this nice spring weather by lying uninterrupted across my newly-acquired, well-padded porch glider.

For sure, no commentary or Bible reading for me this entire week end. I just need a little long-awaited cat nap. Then it all happened as a result of the most uncommon vision of my long, educated career.  

I suddenly found myself wakened by a knock at the door. My immediate response was to call out, “Come in come in!” As he opened the door, I was really caught off guard. He closed the door behind him and walked towards my bedside, as if knowing me all my life.

He was a strange, vagabond-like character, tightly holding two curiously carved wooden canes, one in his right hand and one in his left. The right cane was beautifully and perfectly made. The left one was just the opposite, of crooked design and badly hewed from knotty wood, as if being from the deep, dark forest.

Both canes had very different distinguishing looks about them. The right cane showed a bright heavenly glow. The left was much different, displaying a dark, shadowy tint.

Without any further ado, the unusual looking character approached my bed, and taking me by the hand, we were off, flying through the air, mysteriously traveling through my closed door.

“Who are you and just where are we going?” I demanded rather loudly, my voice sounding through the brisk wind of the night sky.

He gave no answer and we continued our flight. In the distance I caught sight of a forked road. As we came closer, I could barely make out two signs pointing out the two road forks.

As we landed, the signs became distinctly clear. The sign to the right publicized the road as being straight, the one to the left as being crooked. Kind of strange I thought, these signs lining up with this stranger's canes.

The man pointed to the crooked road to the left, and away we went. I could tell right away, this was to be a very rough ride, unlike our initial trip through the air. The road was dark, rocky and very bumpy, as if filled with rocks and completely unpaved.

Vividly posted at the entrance of this wilderness was a large sign. It was hard to read, however, as it was covered over with a wild undergrowth of thorns and thistles.  

The stranger finally spoke, explaining our trip in an old English dialect. “You are entering the land of simple progressive justice. No more unjust religious principles will you find. You will now be socially self-adjusted to a life style that feels good, means good and will be good forever more. You will encounter the many instruction signs to follow.  Please enter at your own progressive risk. Good luck, and may the force be with you.”

Unfortunately a disclaimer attached to the bottom of this sign had been virtually destroyed, possibly by vandalism. Still partly visible were some words of the positive Bible passage found in (Galatians 5:22-23).

At each sharp crooked turn was an array of informational signs, hard to read for the thick growth of weeds. The first sign read “Strife Ahead.”     

Moving on, the second sign read “Anger Ahead,” the next “Jealousy Ahead” and on and on we went, down this crooked, depressing pathway.

Being a proven Bible college professor, I quickly got the message of the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21) After reading the signs, my disgusted gestures apparently spoke rather loudly.

My sign language must have gotten to the guide.  “So, you have had enough?” he asked.

“I surely have! Let’s get out of here, out of this evil-generated country!”  I replied. (Ephesians 6:12)

Instantly we were out of there, and found ourselves in a land of peace and contentment, standing on a straight and narrow road. What a vast difference it was, starting with a beautifully written sign of promise, and guarded by two angels.

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' (John 14:7)

This road appeared as if paved with glittering gold. As we walked forward there was a slight breeze carrying a delightful aroma. It was smooth sailing all the way for sure.

Each additional sign we approached was also guarded by an angel pointing the way to go. There were signs such as Love, Joy, Peace, and so on; the positive signs for the growth of a healthy Christian life. (Galatians 5:22-23)

As we came to the end of this road, standing there atop a rugged hill was an old rugged cross covered in blood. As if by divine instruction, I immediately found myself tearfully kneeling before that old rugged cross.

I don’t rightly know how long I had been kneeling there, but as I got up to thank this unknown gentleman for all his kindness, he was nowhere to be found.  Neither was the cross and the related scenery. It all had surely disappeared. The vision was over.

I found myself back in the comfort of home, enjoying the luxury of our newly-purchased front porch glider. Lying by my side was a partly emptied soft drink bottle and half eating piece of Mom’s homemade chocolate fudge cake. On the cake plate was the painted inscription, Heaven Sent.

What a vision that was! Was it simply a healthy release of stored brain intellect? Or was it maybe a subconscious delusion, or hallucination? Whatever the case, it was surely direct and to the point. It quickly got my attention; I need to get to work with my class lesson.

Yes, you may have guessed it. The proverbial crooked road of my life was instantly straightened. I feel now as if I could last another ten years teaching God’s word. Think I’ll have them rescind my retirement, come Monday morning. Amen!    

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this Bible-based fiction blog based on the concept of Galatians Chapter Five which gives us two contrasting viewpoints, that of walking by the Spirit, as opposed to walking by the flesh. This metaphor of the contrasting two roads depicts how hard it is to walk by the flesh as opposed to walking by the Spirit, especially in today's socialist environment.

Here we were able to experience seeing a learned Bible professor, one having many years of teaching behind him, actually encounter a real change of life. The crooked paths of his life had been all strengthened out.  You see, our living God is in the road paving business.

“Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

As the two-road metaphor points out, one has to make that everlasting choice regarding following Jesus.  Jesus gives us an either/or choice regarding our eternal future. It's either Heaven or Hell.  No middle ground here. Which shall it be for you, my friend?

FOR ADDITIONAL BLOGS PLEASE VISIT MY WEB PAGE http://ccrobey.wixsite.com/themessage