Grand Entrance

Traffic circles have only recently started popping up near my home. The one that’s been here longer than me I’ve mostly managed to avoid. I was schooled in traffic loop protocol in Houston, Texas several years ago. Between the Children’s Hospital and almost anywhere else, five roads merged on a loop with 3 lanes. It was entirely possible to enter and never find your way out, or end up headed back the way you came. The zoo and the freeway to the airport, thankfully, shared the one path I mastered. Still I panicked every time I steered into the fray, certain that someone would plow me over before I could exit. The trick was knowing when to yield and when to merge. Hesitating or second guessing could be disastrous!

Self-taught writer, preacher, and theologian, A.W. Tozer, had only a sixth grade education. He was an avid reader and and even more avid man of prayer. His love for the word of God is evident in his writings. He was confident in the love of God to cover a multitude of sin. (I Peter 4:8) The following excerpt is quoted from the Seven Mornings With Tozer Reading Plan on the YouVersion Bible App.

Unwilling To Yield

“I know there are people who hear me preach regularly who will never consider changing their way of living. There are millions of men and women with an understanding of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who are still not willing to receive and commit themselves to Him whom the very angels and stars and rivers receive. They hesitate and they delay because they know God is asking the abdication of their own selfish little kingdom and interests.

This is the tragedy of mankind, my brethren! We have rejected Him from our lives because we must have our own way. But until Jesus Christ is sincerely received, there can be no knowledge of salvation, nor any understanding of the things of God.

The little, selfish, sinful man rejects the Son of God. While he is still enumerating the things he deserves, the Son of God stands outside.” (Revelation 3:20)

 Prayer – “Dear Lord, we all know of some people in our lives who are aware of the truth of the gospel but who choose to live apart from God. I pray that Your Spirit will cause each of these people to feel an overwhelming sense of dread concerning their future destiny.” And I would add, may we feel a sense of urgency pressing us to pray for their soul’s salvation, and a willingness to acknowledge Christ as Lord to the glory of God no matter the cost.

While we tread this sod, “…we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”

Titus 2:12-14 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/tit.2.12-14.NLT

There was a time in my life when I looked around me with disgust and said, “why do I even bother?” It seemed as if everyone else was getting along just fine and they didn’t appear to give a thought to God or His ways. I felt tethered and restricted by the disciplines of my faith, while longing for the “freedom for which I was set free.” (Galatians 5:1) I remember dropping my three young children off for choir at church, then driving to the far end of the parking area to cry. I remember pacing and raising my hands to the sky to say, “I know this is not how You mean for this life to be. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, but I know this is not right!”

On a separate occasion, I recall driving away from the morning middle school car line and hearing the phrase, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)

One day soon, our faith will become sight in the twinkling of an eye. By the looks of things, it won’t be very long. God’s Word challenges me not to become complacent in my waiting. Matthew 25:1-13 tells the story of ten young women who await the coming bridegroom. Five are foolish and five are wise, bringing extra oil for their lamps in case the groom’s arrival is delayed.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”

Matthew 25:6 NIV

https://matthew.bible/matthew-25-6

The wise women were not condemned by the bridegroom for not sharing their oil. They were welcomed to the banquet, but the foolish ones who came late were denied entrance because they were not known to the groom.

I can only store up oil for my own lamp. I do this by studying the Word of God as a diligent student, by repenting of sin daily, and by walking in the Spirit. As badly as I may want to share what I gain from this discipline with those I love who are perishing, they must be personally known to the bridegroom. He is their supply just as He is mine. His grace is sufficient.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (of His return).”

Matthew 25:13 NIV

https://matthew.bible/matthew-25-13

“Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:11 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.11.NLT

When entering a traffic circle, it really helps to have a clear idea of where you’re headed. The road behind you is no longer important.

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection…

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:7-10, 13-14 NIV

https://philippians.bible/philippians-3-13

Heavenly Father,

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalms 90:12 NIV

https://psalm.bible/psalm-90-12

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

Psalms 90:12 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.90.12.NLT

And as we choose to lay aside all that would seem urgent here to attend to our eternal souls, fill us to overflowing so that Your love may be evident in us. May Your grace find its mark in my life and in the lives of all who need to know You.

In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.