Sept 9th, 2021: What Should Be Our Pathways of Life?

 


I came across this sign a while ago and began to wonder where I should go if I am a pedestrian. It appeared that I would not be welcome to be beyond that point of the pathway.


I have the same feeling when I consider different pathways of life in our society. Somehow regular men and women have been made to feel guilty about being who we are. 


The pathway of free speech is no longer there. We are not allowed to say certain words or to express our ideas of right and wrong. We can no longer share our true thoughts because we might hurt other people's feelings. We have reduced ourselves to a mere form of co-existence with meaningless conformity. I found this talk given by Rowan Atkins (Mr. Bean) is very enlightening.


https://youtu.be/BiqDZlAZygU


The pathway to freedom of religion is increasingly limited. Our right to our faith is more than just the freedom to gather to worship. It is about having the right to live our life according to our faith convictions. That is the real meaning of worship. Of course, some people might find that offensive. Yet, we are not allowed to state what is offensive to us as Christians in this society. Being offensive or offended is not a one-way street.


The pathway to freedom has been misguided. We are not going to be free from the wrongdoings of others if we allow ourselves to live with a victim mentality. God has given us the freedom to receive His forgiveness and the desire to forgive others. The constant demand for justice might just be another form of injustice by itself because we might accuse others who have nothing to do with our problems. The greatest freedom is the freedom to forgive.


Mark 1: 3

“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” 


Psalm 16: 11

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

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