EVERY EXIT IS AN ENTRY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE

A Devotion Written by Gerald E. Cumby
I have often mentioned to my wife, Sherry, as we are traveling the streets or highway in the city and around the rural areas that some business is going to have a difficult time being successful due to their chosen location. The entrances and/or exits for the customers were not conducive and accessible for a timely and safe stop.

It is true...in today’s world people are not going to stop for a drink, fuel, groceries, etc. where it is difficult or unsafe to access and leave the area. Safety is a major concern, but time seems to be part of the equation also. In most cases, enough protesting and complaining by the store owners at times help them achieve getting the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City officials to provide a better and more practical way for the customers to access the business. However, I have watched over time businesses close their shops after a few months due to poor or unsafe accessibility of the customers.

The statement used as the subject of this devotion is a "common sense” truth. We are hearing a lot today about "common sense" politics and actions. To go along with this truth, we must start thinking about what is the most practical, the most safe, the most effective move for the sake of our citizens, especially our families.

When we exit from our present circumstance, we enter somewhere else. We can exit a room and enter another. We can exit off the freeway and enter another street/highway. We can exit from the hospital and go home.

Jesus exited a garden where people prayed and sought solitude...and then entered into a courtyard as a criminal, bound an under judgment by the court officials.

John 18:12-15, "Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard..."

Although the world did not understand the situation Jesus was in, he knew. Jesus knew what his mission and purpose was. He knew what was being planned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin Council. Jesus’ mission would be completed. He would finish his purpose in coming into the world. He would make it possible for people then and now for the proper and only access into the heavenly realms of glory.

Acts 1:12, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Romans 10:9, "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Acts 3:19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,..."

Acts 20:21, "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

Sometimes our exits into another area mean nothing. However, the atmosphere and environment change on many occasions. We go from a good situation to a bad one...or a bad one to a good one.
Truth: Every exit is an entry to somewhere else.

Sherry and I lived in Atlanta, Georgia for one year in the late years of my 38-year career at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Division, Fort Worth, Texas. I was sent to their aeronautical plant in Georgia to train some management personnel due to government/military safety concerns at the plant. I was well paid for my short tenure at the Lockheed Martin facility working with some wonderful people while I was there. Sherry and I were fortunate to be able to explore the area on weekends, enjoying sights we might only see once in our lifetime. While coming home after a shopping trip in the Atlanta area, we turned off and onto the wrong exit from the Interstate away from our place where we were staying. One right turn and then a left trying to get back on the interstate was a bad choice in which we quickly knew we were in the wrong neighborhood conducive for our safety. We knew we were in trouble when we saw some very unbecoming (to say the least) men in the street and on the corners where we had no idea how to get out of the area. God knew we were in trouble and Sherry simply said, "turn here." I did and I was so glad I did. Sherry was more excited at the outcome after a fearful experience than I was. She looked at me and said we were saved by a God who knows our every move. We full-well know what it means "Every exit is an entry to somewhere else."

One of these days, we will all exit this life into one of two places. For those who have taken the road mentioned in the Scriptures above, you will enter God’s heaven. Jesus stated it explicitly and very candidly as he was speaking to his disciples and his followers. He said: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going." ⁵ Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"⁶ Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:1-6
Every exit is an entry to somewhere else!
For those who have chosen to evidently exit the wrong road off of life’s highway, you have made a terrible choice. Why in the world would a person decide to shun a grateful, loving, most precious God? Just to say, "I did it my way" is about as wise as the person deciding to exit into an oncoming traffic lane. It leads to death! Decide today to put your faith and trust in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we exit across the threshold of life, Jesus is there to accept us into his loving arms. Heaven is real...and so is hell!
Every exit is an entry to somewhere else!
Devotion by Gerald Cumby, February, 2025.