A traveler wanders the wilderness for decades, free from restrictions of society, but alone in his journeys. He managed a content life being able to provide for his basic needs, but as he neared the last mile of what some would call an exciting life the traveler stumbled upon road sign in the middle of nowhere.
The sign was large with descriptions and two arrows. On one side was a large arrow pointing left. Under the arrow were the words, “Visit our kingdom! You can be whoever you want to be! We have no restrictive laws, or judicial system so you have the freedom to do anything your heart desires. All your needs will be provided for!” The traveler was very intrigued by this delightful invite. He’d always lived his life free from restrictions and thought this sounded like a wonderful opportunity to live out his life.
On the other side of the sign was a large arrow pointing to the right. Under the arrow were the words, “Visit our kingdom! We guarantee prosperity and happiness! We have very strict rules in place that must be obeyed. We have a just Judge that will enforce our laws. You will have the freedom to live prosperously and happy as long as you are within the confines of our rules. All your worries will be gone and all your needs will be provided for!” The traveler considered this invite as well. He’d never really lived under a strict system of rules, and it didn’t sound like much fun even though they guaranteed prosperity and happiness.
Unsure of which choice to make, the traveler turned around to where he had come from only to realize that there was now an enormous wall blocking not only his path, but his view. As far as he could see up, to the right, and to the left was a wall. There was no going back. The traveler turned back to the sign and realized he had to make a choice. Did he want the guarantee of happiness under a set of strict laws, or did he want the freedom of his hearts desires to do anything he wanted? As he looked closer at the small print, the sign read, “All choices are final upon entry to the kingdom of choice. Choose wisely.”
Each person on this earth reflect the traveler. We wander aimlessly through life enjoying what is in front of us, but that path is forever blocked from going back. We must choose a kingdom. We must choose wisely. All choices are final. One kingdom guarantees prosperity and happiness, the other does not. One kingdom declares you must live a certain way, the other does not. One kingdom has a righteous judge, the other does not. A kingdom that offers what appears to be a heart’s desire is a great marketing proposal. Shiny packaging without a clear understanding of what the gift is. A kingdom with clearly written laws however is like looking at a gift in a glass box. You know exactly what you’re getting.
We all stand at the precipice of choice. We get one. Please don’t be fooled by the shiny advertising. A Judge who is righteous will reward his citizens righteously. The other only offers torturous anarchy where all freedoms are lost upon arrival. As the sign said, “Choose wisely.”
Troy P Zehnder 