-Thomas Carlyle-
Exploring the Benefits of Roundabouts vs. Traditional Intersections
I remembered the very first time that I approached in my car, a newly constructed roundabout that formally was a four-way traffic intersection in an area of town that I had not traveled in some time.
Like anything new, there was a bit of apprehension on my part as I navigated through this newer way of travel through which now, was a newly transformed area designed by humans for the overall wellness of the community at heart.
As one who has a scientific and analytical mindset, I wanted to understand what factors were considered by the Civil Engineers, in turning a formally four-way stop into a roundabout?
Below are some very interesting findings:
- Research shows roundabouts are safer than a traditional intersection. Where roundabouts have been installed, accidents of all types have been reduced by more than 35% and injury accidents have been reduced by more than 60%.
- Since 2010, there is a reduction in fatalities and a 76% reduction in injuries due to the reduced-speed environment, better yielding rates, and 50% fewer pedestrian-vehicle conflict points of the roundabout than the signal-controlled intersections.
- Communities save money installing roundabout since they do not require signal equipment which is expensive and requires ongoing power and maintenance.
- Roundabouts give communities the opportunity to develop green spaces or gateway enhancement through landscaping which is aesthetically pleasing in an effort at expressing community values such as a quieter living environment. [Thanks to the W&A Engineering in Athens GA for your wonderful article, Exploring the benefits of roundabouts vs traditional intersections.]
The basis and motivation of this blog post are by using the traffic control “Round-about” as a learning object item, I will discuss the spiritual discipline of Teshuvah [Repentance] as one of the most important daily direction of one’s heart!
For me, there are many spiritual issues and subjects that very important in the life of a follower yet none is as important than a loving reminder of the daily need for each of us to never discount our command to “protect our heart!”
Exploring the Road and Spiritual discipline of Teshuvah as a New Direction of Travel
“You cannot repent too soon, because you do not know how soon it may become too late.” -Thomas Fuller
The good news that has been granted to each soul is that God has blessed to each of us, one of His supreme gifts- the ability to turn-about while returning back to Him through the spiritual discipline of “Teshuvah!”
Teshuvah [a term that is translated as repentance], is to be understood as turning back [shuv] to God in an effort of spiritual restoration while receiving all the benefits of healing for one’s soul-care needs throughout one’s travels while on earth.
The Modern Hebrew understanding of the term Teshuvah as it relates to our responsibility to the issue of Sin in our lives is to “answer” or respond out of desperation and helplessness, to the question of God’s love toward each human being, saint and or sinner.
Beloved of God, wherever you are in your life journey, or your present soul condition, each human-being will be better served in actively seeking out and accepting God’s spiritual design of re-engineering soul damaged by sin and unforgiveness.
Our life-changing response to this unconditional Love of God toward us is the total surrender of our hearts toward Him.
Whatever your present heart condition is [your mind, emotion, and will], only God can transform our insensitive, Stoney hearts to that of a contrite heart that has the ability to show sincere remorse filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent.
Father in heaven, I beg that You Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy; according to the multitude of Thy compassion blot out my Transgressions. [Psalm 51:1] Thanks to John H. Parsons and his post, Teshuvah-Turning back to God: An Elul Meditation. hebrew4christian.com.
What are the lasting spiritual benefits of returning back to God?
- First, by turning back to God through repentance one’s life will be forever under the eternal divine safety and protection of God heavenly provisions and His sovereignty. What a blessing this truly is! Who in all eternity is better served at providing and administering to our overall wellness and soul safety than our Creator?
- Next, traveling in the Love and the daily care of God is the wisest and greatest investment a human being can make in this present age that will continuously product current as well as future eternal benefits.
- Lastly, those who continue to return back to God via repentance, are the most peaceful and beautiful human beings because they are guilt-free from the negative impact of sin that compromise their happiness and freedom.
Briefly, what are the operational Laws for believers that aid in governing the Spiritual discipline of Teshuvah?
Spiritual rebirth or spiritual regeneration is the most important requirement in any effort toward knowing God and the Kingdom promises, blessings, and benefits that are available for human beings.
High sensitivity and reverence toward the power, glory, and holiness of God is a must. One is wise to permit and expect God His right to rule all of His creation in the manner that is within His Laws and Design as opposed to man’s laws and systems.
Prayerful moment by moment yearning for a contrite heart to correctly spiritual respond to all sinful actions, thoughts, and deeds by having genuine regret in one’s heart. Realizing the full extent of the damage and inwardly adapt to the feeling of sincere regret.
Ask God for supernatural spiritual intervention as well as seeking out clinical and or professional help in stopping the harmful actions on others. Spiritual regeneration, for the most part, is a process which demands each of us to develop and become a great practitioner of patience.
Confession and Restitution. Open, honest private and public verbalization of the sin(s) and the asking for the forgiveness from God first, next to the wronged party, and finally, the forgiving of yourself. At best, the victim is entitled to some equal compensation as a visible act of restitution. If God is the one sinned against, one should engage in some random act(s) of kindness.
Resolution. One must make a verbal, and written firm commitment not to repeat the sin in the future.
Closing concerns and considerations:
What are the warning signs that speak to the need for your soulful transformation in Your Life?
Sin has many Biblical consequences and there are a different discussion and response to the reality of sin between a believer who sins, and an individual who is not spiritually regenerated.
The majority of this blog’s content had a believer in mind as he/she is encouraged to biblically practice the spiritual discipline of repentance. Yet, there are five universal consequences of sin that are inescapable of all humans, whether they are regenerated or not!
Sin causes separation. Isaiah 59:2
Sin is harmful to the entire soul.
Sin is harmful to others.
Sin begets only more sin.
My dear friends, all unconfessed and unforgiven sins in the end only leads to a “Deadend!” Romans 6:2
It is my prayer that somehow, this blog post will serve as a blessing to you or another person that is on your heart that is in need for God’s love, grace, and mercy. Amen.
Brother Alonzo
Micah 6:8