Good Intention, Wrong Destination - Homeword - May 14

Good Intention, Wrong Destination

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6

In the news I read of a woman who had moved to a military base in Washington state. One day, she intended to drive to Vancouver, Washington. Apparently, not realizing that there are two cities named Vancouver in the region – Vancouver, Washington (located in the southern part of the state) and Vancouver, British Columbia (located in Canada, north of Washington state,) she headed north on Interstate 5 until she arrived at the Canadian border.

Canadian Customs agents at the border searched the woman’s car and a grenade belonging to her husband (who is in the Army) was found in the glove box. One of the busiest U.S. – Canadian border crossings was closed for an hour. The woman had gotten herself in trouble – the result of having good intentions but a wrong destination. Fortunately for the woman, after hours of interrogation and explanation, she was released the following day back into the United States.

This real-life story reminds me of another reality. Many people have good intentions in life but end up at the wrong destination. As the old saying goes, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Perhaps with only a few exceptions, no one intends to live a life that leads to eternal separation from God. Most people simply ignore God, get on the highway of life and head off in a direction of their choosing. Unfortunately, the Scriptures demonstrate that the choice is a destructive one. “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Jesus also said that there are two roads: a broad road that many follow and a narrow road that few find. Today, if you’ve realized – all good intentions aside – that you are following a broad road in life that leads to the wrong destination – I hope you’ll take the next exit, turn around, place your life in Jesus’ hands and enter onto the narrow road. If you’ve already placed your faith in Christ, respond by giving thanks to God for inviting you to journey on the road that leads to life.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Reflect on a time in your life when your good intentions have mistakenly resulted in harming your relationship with God.

2. How can you communicate lovingly to others the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 7:13, 21–27; Mark 8:36; 1 John 5:12

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