Joy in the Straight Road

“Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,

but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.”

~Proverbs 15:21 (NRSV).

There is more than enough in life without wanting to find those things about it that are not part of our God-anointed destiny.

Joy — simple and uncompromised — is the outcome for us whenever we take the straight road that leads forever toward eternal life. Folly, on the other hand, may represent something that we see as an ‘attractive’ option as we take our eyes off that ancient or eternal road or pathway, however fleetingly. How often do ‘attractive’ options lead to death?

The person of contingent understanding doesn’t take such a risk, or is not willingly found there. And, still, it has found us on occasion... not always have we had, or do we have, understanding, or by other terms, wisdom. In that is not condemnation, but learning.

Still it beckons. Stay on the straight road. It’s the quickest way to real joy. And joy is never too far a leap from peace — peace with God — the ultimate state.

The fool’s joy is simplistic and focused on self.

Persons with understanding, however, set their joy from the Lord’s context — from within such safe bounds their joy is fitted.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.

Graphic Credit: Jon Rawlinson via Zamaan Online.