“In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.” Judges 5:6(KJV).
The high ways represent the way of holiness, the way of love, the way of sacrifice, the way of selflessness, the way of service, the way of honesty and integrity, the way of godliness and true Christian values. Worldliness, greed, lust and carnal treats often lure people to the byways of life. The byways of life allows one to do whatever one likes, lawlessness and unbridled liberty is the order of life with one being his own god. It is the way of self will, personal agenda where God is not allowed to direct. It is often the easy way of life that does not demand being under any authority.
Byways could be the ways of compromise, worldliness, lust, shortcuts, pleasure, comfort and convenience. In every age, multitudes often resort to the byways of life to enjoy unbridled liberty, abandon character and virtue. Byway may not demand commitment or accountability, here, anything goes. The erroneous thinking that one will be happier if one becomes one`s own often result in subtle captivity and self-deceit.
The highways of life will demand discipline, courage, faith, hard work, commitment and responsibility. It is the old rugged way; it is the way of the cross. It will demand dying daily to self and selfish pursuit. It will demand surrendering your will, your personal plans and agenda. The master’s command is, ‘’occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). The highways of holiness, love, service, evangelism, discipline, commitment, obedience and sacrifice need to be occupied. Resist the temptation to be your own boss and pursue carnal pleasure and way of comfort. The course for which Christ died is what living for. He gave up his life to save you so you can live for him. Embrace the grace and accept the help of the Holy Spirit. Rise and be his ambassador to your world. Do not abandon the highways, it may not be rosy and it may not be popular but it is and always will be the right way of life, It may not seem right to a depraved generation especially these last days that the love of many may wax cold, where people will be lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. The master’s command is, “occupy”, in season and out of season, occupy.
PRAYER: O God, help me to always occupy the highways of life in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu