Corners

Roundabouts are a unique traffic management tools that can be very confusing to the uninitiated.  They seem to have proliferated in certain parts of Europe as well as many British colonies, surviving even through today.  For those who do not understand local rules, roundabouts are a living nightmare!  Who enters, who gives way, how should one navigate, and most importantly exit?  When one needs to navigate, decide, and drive at the same time, everything bad that can happen usually does.  It is as if they are accidents waiting to happen.
Everything changes when one understands how a roundabout works.  Carli used to describe the ones near our house in Walton-on-Thames as high-speed chicanes!  They were there to have fun!  Words like easy, predictable, and efficient could easily be used with roundabouts.  There was no stress, anxiety, or reason to be alarm when you understood.
For many, myself included, changes in life are corners with roundabouts.  I do not have time to learn the new rules.  I cannot understand why I need to change.  I should be able to move forward, always going straight, never needing to dodge others, worry about navigation, or even think about giving way.  Yet, change can and does happen, often far more frequently than I expect.  Change can hurt.  Change can confuse.  Change can be difficult.  In these moments, I react like everyone has before me when “cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers!  Brothers!  So now what do we do?'”  (Acts 2.37)  Where should we go?
The answer then and now is the same.  I should turn into the Spirit and God's comforting wind.  God's voice will remind me that truth is stronger than deceit.  God's beauty will tell me that compassion is always more desirable than justice.  God's love will drive me to mercy instead of demanding revenge and equality.
The dawning light reminds me that the world is always turning corners.  I may want to go straight but God is calling us to turn towards Truth, Hope, and Love.