Lane Ends, Merge RIGHT!
By Susan Klein
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14
There was a time in my life when I was driving in the wrong lane. It was a broad road, with several lanes, and many people drove it regularly. It really didn’t matter which lane I chose to drive in because they all led to the same place: self-destruction. We were all heading in the same direction on this broad road, not even fully aware of our final destination.By Susan Klein
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14
Then, one day, God put a sign in my view. It read “Lane ends, merge right!” At first, it didn’t make sense. I was going the right way, wasn’t I? If not, I was sure I had plenty of time before I had to change lanes. But the sign was correct, and I saw my lane coming to an end in the near distance. I needed to merge, or risk running off the road and facing the destruction that awaited me. I had to get in the RIGHT lane, and I had to do it quickly!
I hurriedly obeyed the sign, and merged right. There weren’t as many people in this lane. It was a bit bumpy at first, and much narrower, but soon I adjusted. I could feel the Holy Spirit guiding my vehicle in the way it should go. I felt a new sense of direction and purpose to my journey. And, now I knew for sure where my final destination would be! Why weren’t more people merging?
Every now and then, when I’m just coasting along with cruise control on, I find my steering wheel trying to veer toward the other lanes. I know I should stay in the right lane, but it’s not always easy. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me where those lanes lead to and I turn my focus back on the road ahead of me. Sometimes, I want to get out of my vehicle and warn the others, “Merge Right! Death and destruction await you in those lanes!” But then, the Holy Spirit whispers to me, “It’s up to God when and where to show them the sign, just like He showed you. But you need to be an example for them to follow by staying in the right lane!”
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you know for sure that you are in the right lane with God?
2. What kind of example are you being for those in the “wrong lanes” that lead to destruction? Do they see a difference in you that they want to follow?
FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 4:11, 15:10, 24
Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.
