Take the High Road

Proverbs 10:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,

   but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

 ¹⁴ The wise store up knowledge,

   but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

DISCERNING: Having or showing good judgement.

Once upon a time there was a young girl that ALWAYS had an opinion. She NEVER thought before she told it.  She RARELY (if ever) took the time to see beyond what she BELIEVED to be true.  She didn't offer second chances, believed rumors to be facts, and opened her big mouth many, MANY times when it wasn't her place.  She made decisions based SOLELY on what she believed to be in her best interests, never thinking about how it impacted others. Once upon a time there was a young girl named Laura.

Honestly, even though I am working on it, this immature, bully attitude still peaks out more often than I will admit to in writing.  It takes a lot to see the best in people when it's so much easier to assume the worst. It's fairly simply to hear a rumor about someone and believe it to be fact. It's more difficult to form an unbiased opinion, rather than take the time to get to know them or try to understand their motives without even meeting them.  What does it mean to take the high road?

Or, what about the middle road?  Is there anything wrong with taking the middle road?  I mean, it's better than the low road, but it's not quite as good as the high road.  A "C" is passing, maybe we should all stick to the middle road? Is it better to do favors and nice things for the people that we know will return them, but not offer the same courtesy to the people that we know will not extend the same graciousness to us? 

If we all choose to take the middle road, who will reach for the "A"? Soon enough the middle road will become the high road and the low road will be normal.  We will come to expect less and less of each other, we will not offer second chances, we will not try to understand or empathize with each other, we will simply respond to life. We will react to situations and events with little regard to the impact it will have on our family and friends. 

I do not want to live in a society that is satisfied with the middle road.  So how do you take the high road consistently?  When it is so much easier to take the low road or even the middle road!  If everyone else is taking the shortcut, why strive to take the high road?  

I think it's a test of maturity to take the high road.  To always treat others with MORE respect, MORE compassion, MORE understanding than you expect in return.  The path might be a little more difficult, but you're much less likely to get stuck in the mud!

Lead by example. Take the high road.  Encourage your friends to get in the car with you! I'm going to keep practicing!

 Isaiah 33:15-16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Those who walk righteously

   and speak what is right,

who reject gain from extortion

   and keep their hands from accepting bribes,

who stop their ears against plots of murder

   and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—

¹⁶ they are the ones who will dwell on the heights,

   whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.

Their bread will be supplied,

   and water will not fail them.