Lesson 69: On the Road to Prosperity

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

Recently I was on the road to Prosperity! Literally! You see I was invited to attend the Battle of Charleston on John's Island, and I decided to take my time into the low country because I knew that I would have to return post haste on Sunday. As I drove and convinced myself that something good was a few miles down the road, I felt that something of importance was awaiting me. The country was flat and the terrain melted into the distance. It was a quite nice little meandering drive, but nothing really struck me as to why I needed to travel this road. The town was quaint and seemed friendly, but my quest seemed unfulfilled. There I was on the road to prosperity and wondering what was just over the horizon, not recognizing the significance of the simple pleasure of enjoying the ride. As I returned down the same road that I had traveled only a few moments ago, I began questioning what led me to take a 15+mile detour. I asked God for guidance. As I approached Interstate 26 I felt puzzled as to why I thought the road to prosperity would be any different that other roads leading to different locations.

I looked down at my gas gauge and noted that I probably needed to fill up prior to getting back on the interstate, and I noted a gas station across I26. I pulled up to the pumps, and as I was filling the tank, I noted a lovely church with a beautiful cemetery beside it. I was drawn to the cemetery and soon found to my delight at least three boys that had worn the gray. The three men had the battle flag beside them but there was not a marker indicating their service. I wondered why and continued my search. I noted the names of the individuals and for some reason one of the men's names (John Hamilton Kemper) lingered in my mind. Was my road to prosperity really in the other direction? Was my mission down the highway for the sole purpose of leading me to these unmarked men? Was my prosperity connected to the joy of finding yet other Confederate soldiers that are unmarked, motivating me to contact the SCV camps of the area to see if we can get them a stone of recognition for the service and sacrifices made by the men resting in that sacred soil?

Sometimes the road to prosperity takes you where you may not wish to go, but it will lead you to your destination as long as you let Jesus take the wheel. In the Third Epistle of John verse two, John states, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." I thought of this as I walked back to my car and realized that my soul had prospered by taking time out to simply let God direct my path and show me that I had to do His bidding without questioning His lead. That He will guide you to the true prosperity that He has planned for your life. Our ancestors had taken that road on numerous occasions and it led them home. Home. Our heavenly home is calling. Now that is the true road to prosperity! In Jeremiah 29:11 the Bible states that God thinks of us and offers us peace, wishes for us to prosper, and gives us hope. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." The real road to prosperity is in our walk with God.

May you find Him this day, as I remain your obedient servant in Christ, The Old General