There was a popular song several years ago with the following memorable line: "I thought happiness was Lubbock, Texas in my rear view mirror." The songwriter initially thought leaving Lubbock, Texas behind was the best plan of action. "The highway" in Proverbs 16:17 refers to the path of your life. Someone explains, "This imagery is consistent with other scriptures, such as Isaiah 35:8, which speaks of a 'highway of holiness' where the unclean will not travel. The concept of a highway implies intentionality and purpose in one's spiritual journey." Think with me about three elements of your journey.

First, think about the direction of your journey. Proverbs 16:17a reads, "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil..." Maxwell M. Ben-oliel comments, "It does not say, 'The highway of the upright is not to do evil' — that is true; but it does not say so here. The text is 'depart from evil,' go from it; give it his back; walk off and leave it behind; shun it as an adder; avoid it as a scorpion; flee from it as a serpent." Earlier Solomon writes, "by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil" (Proverbs 16:6b).

Second, think about the duration of your journey. Proverbs 16:17b reads, "He who keeps his way preserves his soul." The dash between the day of birth and the day of death represents the duration of your life. James 4:14b reads, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Moses writes, "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (Psalm 90:10). Solomon warns, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones" (Proverbs 3:7-8).

Third, think about the destination of your journey. Proverbs 16:25 reads, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." As Paul reviews his earthly life, he humbly confesses, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).

What's in your rear-view mirror?

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.