The Parable of a Traffic Jam

To persuade someone to follow God's will can be really traumatic for the persuader, especially if he is of a sensitive temperament. It would be difficult for him to pray that suffering be allowed, when necessary, in order that God may awaken the other person to His truth and grace.

I usually choose to wait and see first before I have the courage to call out "Hi, Friend, you are heading in the wrong direction!" I think the parable of the Traffic Jam describes the dilemma of a backslider well...

Once upon a time, there was a long queue of miles of vehicles along the Federal Highway. Henry was one of those resigned to take his turn in the line of cars and lorries because he could not do otherwise. At least, once the jam cleared, he would be home for a yummy dinner and a warm soak in the long bath. 

As he was almost dozing off at the wheel of his Proton Wira, he was suddenly awaken by the spluttering of a helicopter hovering over his car. Henry put his head out of the window to take a look and was even more surprised that the pilot, a road traffic controller, was waving to him and thundering in a booming voice.

"Hey there, Henry...you are heading in the opposite direction from your house! You missed the turn-off a mile away!"

Wide awake by then and realising that it was Ahmad his neighbour up in the helicopter. Henry shouted back, "What do I do now! From where you are, can you see exactly where I am? How can I get back on the right track?"

"Henry!" boomed Ahmad again, "Wait till you get to the next turn-off, make a U-Turn and go straight on in the direction from which you came as fast as you can...there's no jam there...and join the next freeway! You'll be home in minutes...All the best!!

Well, it is now up to Henry to believe Ahmad and take action, or continue to wait in the queue till he discovers his friend was right after all. But he would be really exhausted by then...no dinner, no warm bath...

Meditation:

Jeremiah 3:22

"'...Return faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.''

“Yes, we will come to You, for you are the Lord our God.'"

Ezekiel 37:23

"'They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offences, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be My people, and I will be their God."

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, if someone is caughtin sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also be may be tempted."