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The animation by Disney called The Lion King brought a new look to an old adage: the circle of life.

The circle of life concept transcends specific time periods and also sends mixed cultural messages. It refers to a natural progression of life on earth: birth, life, death, and—depending on your stance in life—birth again in a higher or lower position than before.

Circuitous can mean a roundabout lengthy course or can mean characterized by indirectness, evasiveness, or complexity—as in action, language, or arguments. The problem with a circle of life is you get back to where you started.

A recent testimony of a man hooked on drugs indicates addicts are on this circle of life program. They reach out for help, but the origin of their circle remains. No matter how many times they traverse the circle, they are considered addicts, recovering addicts, former addicts, or backslidden addicts.

Christ identifies the issues with the circle of life. The broader one’s approach to life, the more circuitous the path allowed. Wander around long enough, and we’ll get back to where we were. Instead, Jesus tells us to choose the straight gate with the narrow path. Following this road keeps us on the straight and narrow path heading to a destination where time and space stretches before us for an eternity.

The circle of life concept either lures us away from God’s intended path or helps us understand why we remain anchored to a point of origin without ever being relieved of the torment. God’s Word is clear. Each of us can choose which gate and way to take.

Don’t opt to go around and around. Enter the kingdom of God and go straight to eternity.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)