Going In Circles

TITLE: Going in Circles
DATE: November 12, 2018
TEXT: Eph. 2:8-9  (ESV) -8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
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“Go Greyhound and leave the driving to us.”

Last month a number of people in Cleveland decided to follow Greyhound Bus Company’s suggestion and let themselves be driven 470 miles to New York. Everybody settled into their seats and prepared for the trip which would end up showing them the iconic skyline of the “Big Apple.”

That was the plan, but, as we all know, things don’t always go according to plan.

After some driving the passengers noticed they were seeing the same signs, the same buildings, the same streets. It was obvious to all they were going in circles.  When some of the travelers came to the driver and asked, “Is anything wrong?”, he seemed upset.

Now almost all of the passengers had a GPS on their telephones. Anybody could have helped him out. But the driver didn’t go the route of asking for, or receiving, assistance. Instead he spent hours circling the city of Cleveland. Finally he returned to the station. Passengers report they eventually arrived in New York; but they got there about four-and-a-half hours late.

Having read that story I kept asking: “Why didn’t the driver use GPS; why didn’t he ask for help?” Although many answers are possible, I kept coming back to:

1. He was too proud.
2. He didn’t want to lose control of the situation.
3. He was sure he could get to his destination on his own.

Remember those points, they are important.

They are important because they are the some of the same reasons which stop many people from getting to heaven.

It’s true. In the course of my life I have run into many folks who knew that there is more to existence than this life. They also knew they were sinners and their transgressions were preventing them from making progress toward their final destination.  Sadly, that knowledge was all they had.

They declined to search the Scriptures which share the Savior’s story of salvation; they declined to listen to their family and friends who love them and wanted to share their faith. In short, they refused any assistance. Why? Remember our list

1. They are too proud.
2. They don’t want to lose control of their lives.
3. They are sure they can get to their destination on their own.

To such people the Holy Scripture speaks and says, “You aren’t going to get to heaven by your own power. If you wish to be saved, place yourself into the hands of the Lord Who gave His Son as the ransom Who will forgive and save you.

In short what they need to do is follow this paraphrase of the Greyhound slogan: “Go with the Lord and leave the driving to Him.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are many people whose lives are going in circles. Send Your Holy Spirit so they may see the helplessness of their present situation and be turned to the Savior Who alone is the Way to heaven. In His Name I pray. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by the Editors of Newser on October 29, 2018. Those who wish to reference those articles may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.newser.com/story/266544/bus-passenger-driver-got-lost-drove-in-circles-for-hours.html