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bishop's perspective:
Looking Forward:
The road less traveled
Sadly, the road most traveled is not the narrow one requiring discipline and sacrifice. The well-trod road is wide and immensely attractive. Signposts invite us to enjoy self-indulgent pleasures and instant gratification. It is a popular road. The temptation is to go with the crowd, to "go with the flow." It promises ease of travel and a splendid destination.
Matthew's Gospel describes the wise men
who turn aside from the well-traveled road of
appeasement and compromise. King Herod
instructs them to return to him and to the fan-
fare and power of his glitzy place. But they
take a less traveled, unpopular road and do not
return to the king. They refuse to rely on their
own wisdom, and the baby Jesus is spared.
Joseph hears God's voice calling in the
night and packs up Mary and baby Jesus and
takes the less traveled road to Egypt, escaping
a sure death. He does the difficult thing, leav-
ing extended family so Jesus' life is spared.
I remember God calling to Martha and
me to take our baby boy on a lonely and
difficult road leading to a remote mission
station in Africa. Good friends, family mem-
bers and clergy mentors urged us to take the
more convenient road of a promising career.
The road to Africa was demanding, and we
learned we simply could not travel it except
by the grace of God. On that road less trav-
eled our character was formed and spiritually
shaped.
Over and over again we all encounter cru-
cial choices about the roads we travel. A new
year has a way of calling us to pay attention
to the road we will choose. I know about
this. Last night I wrestled with an angel
over some choices for my new ministry
after I leave Holston Conference. One road
promises substantial financial reward and
is enticing. The other offers a much more
modest financial incentive but provides
greater opportunity to bear Christian witness
to some of God's special people.
God's angel won! I know which road to
take. But I confess I was so tempted to take
that other road.
The road most traveled is beckoning you, too. Its advertise- ments are seductive. Yet there is another road - sometimes only a narrow path - to which an "angel" is nudging you to follow. And on that pathway, that roadway less traveled, you will find God, your travel-mate and guide.
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Bishop Ray W. Chamberlain
Resident Bishop
National & World News
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