A Path Usually Leads Somewhere

I’ve been on many paths in my life. Some of them are relational paths like being a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather or an uncle. Some of the paths have been related to my work – each work opportunity was part of the path that led to another part of the path: delivering the Milwaukee Sentinel Newspaper, delivering mail at Nordberg Manufacturing, delivering jet fuel on a Naval Air Station in Hawaii, and delivering IT management services and solutions at various businesses including Conney Safety Products.

There are also paths to consider for life purpose, goals and pursuits. Finally, there are paths regarding the things we own or that we would like to own.

Two Neglected Paths

In both cases the neglected paths are often not chosen with any real planning or thought. In each of these the results are not desirable. The two that come to mind are related to our souls (our eternal years) and with our retirement years.

The Lesser of the Two

The one that is far less important is the retirement planning path. It can be important if you live to see “retirement.” Even though it is the lesser of two, the scriptures talk about this path, especially in the wisdom literature of Proverbs.

For example, Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” When you read this you should think “gambling” or lottery versus putting your money to work with gradual gains. The gambling path is very dangerous.

Another says, “He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.” Proverbs 29:3 The principle here is a contrast between making wise decisions and doing things for short-term pleasures that eat away at wealth, health, and ultimately destroy lives. The path many take is for short-term temporary pleasures.

Investopedia has an article about the “Steps for Successful Investing,” Steps imply that there is a path. The fifth step is to “Find the Right Investing Path.” That implies that there are paths that aren’t going to lead to the desired destination.

The Greater of the Two

The Apostle Paul talks about the path (by quoting other scriptures) that all are prone to take because of human “nature.” In the Bible, the natural man is by nature a sinner. By nature he or she is on the wrong path. It looks like this:

“‘All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’  ‘Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.’ ‘The venom of asps is under their lips.’ ‘Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.’” – Romans 3:12-17

By default, because we are all sinners, we choose the path that is ruin and misery. There is no way of peace. The path leads to destruction.

Jesus contrasted the two gates/paths: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

In fact, he clearly said he was the PATH. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

Psalm 1 says it well. They are blessed because Jesus is the “Way.”

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.