Choosing between Life's Escalators (Proverbs 12:24-28)

Jesse Reno invented a moving device he dubbed an “inclined elevator”. He publicly introduced it at Coney Island in the Fall of 1896 where within one week 75,00 people took a ride on the innovative conveyor belt. He had submitted a patent for his invention in 1892. It had no steps, just a single platform that could move 3,000 individuals per hour. He even equipped it with handrails for safety. The motor moved the belt at a speed of 90 feet per minute (for comparison, adults can walk at the average speed of 270 feet per minute). It was not until 1897 when Charles D. Seeberger gave the moving steps the official name, “escalator” (Latin word, scala, means “steps”). A couple of years later, he would join with Elisha Otis and his elevator company to produce what we know now as the escalator. Proverbs 12:24-28 with its up and down movement makes me think of five of life’s “escalators” that will either take us up in life or take us down in life. Each of the five verses make me think of the choices that life brings before us as we stand at the top of each escalator. # 1 – Choice at the Escalator of the Hand, v. 24 Diligence will take you up to administration, whereas indolence will take you down under supervision. # 2 – Choice at the Escalator of the Heart, v. 25 Anxiety will bring you down into depression, whereas affirmation will bring you up to gladness. # 3 – Choice at the Escalator of the Huddle, v. 26 Righteousness influences friends upward to excellence, whereas wickedness influences friends downward into error. # 4 – Choice at the Escalator of Harvest, v. 27 Negligence brings you down in wastefulness, whereas persistence brings you up to resourcefulness. # 5 – Choice at the Escalator to Heaven, v. 28 Belief in Christ brings you up to life, whereas unbelief toward Christ brings you downward to death. Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934 http://fbccolumbustx.org/