Which Route is Best to Lake Geneva?

Cindie and I don’t travel without considering the route to our destination. That has included trips to places close by our home in Fitchburg, travel to California, Maine, New York, Chicago, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, India, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. We are taking a 50th anniversary trip to Lake Geneva Wisconsin today, and I am considering the route we will take. Google maps help me with the miles and time involved with various choices. I prefer the scenic route.

The impact of the route we choose will be minimal. Should I drive the I-90 freeway because it might save ten minutes? Should we take the route less traveled along Highway 12? Both have advantages. I think we will go the HWY 12 route, simply because I know that route will be more interesting. Saving time or distance won’t really matter that much. (We will be staying at the Mill Creek Hotel.)

If find it interesting that many spend more time planning routes for one-time events but they ignore the routes that have more significance for life and eternity.

Routing for Eternity

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that the route of your life is important. There are two routes: righteousness and wickedness. Proverbs 4:14-18 declares the following about these two routes:

14 “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. 15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Jesus often talked about the two choices. He used the wide and narrow way illustration, the sheep and goats, the wheat and weeds or chaff, light and darkness, truth and lies, and the different folds and gates. When asked about the way to the join him he said this in response to a question by Thomas: “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

If one does not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, the end result is a very undesirable destination.

Investing Routes

Over the years I have given advice and help to many individuals and couples. Some were teens, and some were in the last years of their lives. I find it interesting that there are three different responses to the routes I suggest. The first is to ignore the advice entirely. I wish I could say that was a good idea, but follow-up conversations has led me to believe that failure to follow good advice and suggestions is not a good idea.

The second route is to delay travel. “Yes, I know I should take action, and I hope to get around to it.” Delaying travel down the investing road is bound to create roadblocks and delays for investing success. I cannot recommend any shortcuts or fast-track solutions. I don’t mind if you don’t follow my advice, but doing nothing is a really bad idea.

The third route is to set a goal, plan a course of action, and then act. I smile when I think of friends, missionaries, pastors, plumbers, construction workers, mechanics, widows, and family who have acted. Those who learned how to trade options contracts give me updates about their successes (and mistakes.) People I have never met in person have made tremendous progress (I think of a young lady in Florida named Mary Martha.) Those who were overpaying for advice are now able to make good decisions about investments.

Like travel and eternity, delaying decisions is usually not a good idea when it comes to investing. If you decide not to decide, that is called procrastination. Postponement is ultimately going to hurt you and others you love.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

“… if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9–10

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.