Deliberate Living Now

Against the Flow

Most towns have at least one; a busy main road that allows traffic in one direction only, a one way street. The beauty of a one-way street is that you don’t have to be on the look out for upcoming traffic, everyone is heading the same way.

It was peak hour and the traffic was flowing steadily down Shirley Street when out of nowhere appeared the flashing blue lights of a police vehicle with blaring sirens to match. In quick pursuit was a dignified looking black car and on its tail was another noisy police vehicle. What was more astonishing was the fact that they were going against the flow of traffic on this one-way street. I gathered from other bystanders that the Prime minister was on his way to a function for which he may have been late. What a Privilege! Without his outriders this could have proven to be an extremely dangerous situation, for at that speed the chances of a fatal head-on collision was great. Also without his escorts, this attempt to save time may have been futile, as he would most defiantly attract the attention of a ticket cop.

As I waited, my imagination transported me momentarily to a life studded with the conveniences of being a privileged citizen. My fantasy world lasted only a few moments as I was quickly escorted back to reality by the blaring horns of frustrated common citizens perplexed by the slowing traffic on this once again, one-way street.

For many of us the New Year hands us what looks like a one-way street: the only convenient way to go is with the flow of the traffic. You may think, making changes will only insight head on collisions with others who prefer your former style. Also you may conclude that it will take significant adjustments and delays to do things in a NEW way. These anxious feelings are natural but not accurate. I have good news for you: you wont have to do it alone. You are guaranteed outriders who will go before and behind you to make your path safe. The Psalmist records in Psalm 85: 13

Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.

It can be frightening to turn your back on the way you have grown accustomed to doing things like

• rushing through the day without worship or
• eating for pleasure and not for health or
• reading for entertainment and not for knowledge or
• sharing for convenience and not for compassion or
• praying out of necessity and not for love

But with God as your guide you can safely go against the flow. He promises in Psalm 37: 23, 24

The LORD makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

You are a privileged citizen, a child of the king and He has decreed:

“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? (Isa. 43; 18, 19 MSG)

So embrace this New Year with confidence and live at full speed, knowing that in God’s strength you will successfully accomplish God’s will for your life even if it means going against the flow.

ÓCopyright Patrice Williams-Gordon 2011

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