My office at my previous church had a large window. It provided a spectacular view of the beige colored brick wall of the Family Life Center and the alley that ran between the FLC and the main church building. It was a rather narrow passageway, only stretching 12 to 15 feet wide. It could be argued that the alley was wide enough for two cars to safely pass another. But, the leadership of the church opted not to test the theory and made it a one way street. As I remember it, there were signs placed at both ends of the alley. Coming off the street sat a sign that read, “FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PARKING: ENTRANCE ONLY.” From the parking lot was another sign that read, “DO NOT ENTER: WRONG WAY.”
On multiple occasions, I watched out my large windows as drivers attempted to use our parking lot as an expressway to avoid traffic only to find themselves screeching to a halt when another car turned into the alley. Inevitably, the show became multi-sensory as the now inconvenienced driver, who was clearly in a hurry, laid on their horn to announce their displeasure. Every once in a while, a driver would stubbornly push through resulting in the loss of a mirror or paint and the eventual exchanging of insurance information.
When one finds oneself going the wrong way on a one way, the best option is to turn around and go the right way.
These scenes always struck me as exceedingly unnecessary. There were several signs designed to guide them in the way they should go. Had these drivers paid attention and acted appropriately, they could have avoided any issues in the first place. Or, once they found themselves in the precarious position in the alley, they could have just backed up and corrected course and avoided the inconvenience and expense of a police report and an insurance claim. When one finds oneself going the wrong way on a one way, the best option is to turn around and go the right way.
It reminds me of the story of Jonah. The story starts, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” Those are some pretty clear instructions. How does Jonah respond? “But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.” For context, Nineveh was about 550 miles north east of Jonah’s point of embarkation and Tarshish was 2500 miles to the north west. Jonah attempted to go as far as he could in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go. He was headed the wrong way on a one way.
Rather than coming nose to nose with another boat out on the sea, Jonah and company crash into what insurance companies call an “Act of God” that stops them dead in their tracks. They try to push through and the ship starts to fall apart. They ask around and realize that Jonah is the driver behind this epic accident waiting to happen. So, they ask him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” Jonah’s best advice to them was, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea.” How is that the only option in Jonah’s mind? Why didn’t he tell them to turn around and take him back in the direction God had told him to go in the first place? I have to believe that had he repented (repent literally means to turn around), God would have relented and the horrible near drowning and detour in the fish could have been avoided.
If we’d just learn to humble ourselves and turn around, our course correction could avoid many costly accidents and undesirable outcomes.
Those drivers in the alley behind FBCSA reveal that people today often struggle with the same stubborn rebelliousness demonstrated by Jonah. And, lest we get the big head, you and I are not exempt from this bad attitude. All of us at different times and in different ways believe our way is the right way even when all the signs clearly tell us it’s the wrong way. Too often our pride, preferences, and/or priorities cause us to put the pedal down causing us to speed towards our own undoing. If we’d just learn to humble ourselves and turn around, our course correction could avoid many costly accidents and undesirable outcomes.
Going the wrong way on a one way is always a bad idea. Going our own way when it runs counter to God’s way is always an accident waiting to happen. But, God is gracious. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, “he will always provide a way out.” We always have the option to turn around and go the right way. May we see the signs that point us in the direction of God’s will and may we have the wisdom and courage to follow them. And, when we miss or ignore the signs, may we have the humility to stop and turn ourselves around and get back on the straight and narrow.
