Two Roads

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus clearly states, “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few will find it.” In today’s world, the broad road can be compared to the interstate highway we travel on. This road is wide open, easy to travel on and is the perfect place to set the cruise control and drive fast. Once we’re rolling, it’s easy to become complacent and relaxed as this road goes on and on with the same predictable scenery, mile after mile, hour after hour. The narrow road, however, requires a driver with a more intense precision to stay on course. Think in your mind of a windy, bumpy back road. This is a road that is unpaved, is covered with gravel, rocks and a variety of natural speed-bumps. It’s narrow and requires an attention to detail and a determination to choose to stay on course. It’s true this narrow road has more curves and bumps, but it also leads to the most beautiful waterfalls. The wide road leads to destruction. The narrow road leads to heaven. Which road will you choose?

Redwoods

Reaching 300 feet in height and with diameters up to 44 feet, redwood trees are a thing of beauty to behold. I’ve recently read of their remarkable root systems which strengthen them and allow them to live up to 2,000 years. Redwoods don’t have individual root systems like other trees. Their roots are completely interconnected, are outgrowths of a single parent tree and grow around the parent in a complete circle called a cathedral. A key to their survival is their ability to hold each other up with these intertwined roots. No known wind can topple them and virtually no disease can kill them. They gain their strength and vitality from each other and are proof that living organisms function better together than apart. Colossians 3:14 reminds us as humans, how love is that underlying root system which will keep all of us strong. “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” How might your love for someone today strengthen them and keep them safe, secured and anchored?

One Glimpse

A friend of ours recently ‘changed her address’ and now resides in heaven. She was the wife of a farmer, has loving children and grandchildren and affectionately called her husband, who had died a few years earlier, ‘Dad.’ She seemingly loved everything this life had to offer her, especially her home and her family. She was also blessed to be able to live on the farm until the moment she died. As she was moving in and out of consciousness, her daughter said all of a sudden her eyes widened and she said, “Dad, is this heaven? Is this heaven?!” Quickly followed by, “I want to die! I want to die!” She then received her wish and passed on to her eternal reward. I Corinthians 13:12 says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.” It’s powerful to think that all it took for our friend was one glimpse of heaven for her to quickly leave behind everything else she had held so dear for so long. If one brief glimpse of heaven does this for us, imagine what joy and exhilaration comes when we fully reside there on a permanent basis. I can’t wait!

Worthy of Endorsement

I remember the day well as I set out to a favorite hiking spot. As I arrived, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the temperature was close to perfect. I’m not really a nature buff, but shortly after I arrived, I began to drink in the beauty around me. Everything from the wild flowers to the waterfalls to the bubbling brook and the swaying trees seemed to be harmonizing in a song of adoration. I was glad to catch the spirit and I joined right in with a song of my own. Needless to say, it was inspiring and invigorating to worship and praise in this unique setting. Psalm 22:26 promises that “those who seek him shall praise the Lord.” Praise in this sense means to laud, honor, and boldly declare something to be "worthy of endorsement." Just as I went out with a purpose and specifically sought after God in nature on my hike, David also recalls a few of the many reasons to honor and praise the Lord. (Read all of Psalm 22). He knows that “those who seek [God] shall praise the Lord.” We could even say that those who truly seek God will not only find God but also feel compelled to praise him! Many things in our world today are marketed, advertised, and endorsed for a variety of reasons. I wonder – where in our lives today can each of us openly declare that God is indeed “worthy of endorsement”?

The Right Perspective

In Scripture, Peter is infamous for his impulsive reactions and his small-picture thinking. In Mark 8:31-32, Jesus is sharing things Peter doesn’t want to hear, so Peter lets loose and has the audacity to even rebuke Jesus. In verse 33, Jesus quickly reminds Peter that his focus is in the wrong place by stating, “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
When Peter acts like this, we tend to roll our eyes and grin smugly—only to be reminded how we too, often act the exact same way. In life, no matter what comes our way, we know that it’s much easier to focus on the one sickly tree than it is to observe the bigger, beautiful forest surrounding it. Our frustrating circumstances often cause us to become unsettled and impatient. Today, let’s remember that just because we don’t always understand God’s ways, doesn’t mean God is wrong. Most likely, we’re simply being impatient. As we persevere, the right perspective will eventually bring God’s plan into focus. Let’s hang in there; God knows our destiny and is in control!

The Great Balloon Chase

A few years back, my wife and I went with friends to a hot air balloon launch. It was their idea and for me, quite frankly, my expectations were pretty low. However, when we got there and saw the huge pink pig and the big pepsi can (among others), my perspective began to change. Things really kicked in when we decided to become amateur balloon chasers. We picked one out and as it drifted south, we were on a quest to see where it would land. What a blast! Through our laughter and frustrations, we had to deal with traffic lights, back roads and a few tall trees on the horizon. The key was to never let it get out of view. As we persevered, we were finally there as it landed in a farmer’s field some 20 miles away.

In the midst of the laughter and frustrations in all of life, scripture encourages us to, “…run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” This happens best when we, “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2) The key is to never let Him get out of view. If we simply focus on the Father, the finish line will be found.

The Bug Letter

A well-known businessman stayed at a hotel and complained to the management about the high amount of bugs he had in his room. Later, he received a letter from the corporate headquarters which lamented their sorrow and regret that a person of such fame, social standing, honor, respect and brilliance had to endure these conditions. By mistake however, a small piece of paper was accidentally included in the formal letter which read, “Send him the bug letter.” Their “sorrow and regret” were from their heads, not their hearts. 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us how, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” In other words, it brings about a conviction and a life change. A person with Godly sorrow has such a sense of their sin that their heart is broken enough to allow God entrance into it. When was the last time you felt that deep, internal agony and sorrow for your sins? To the point that it actually changed your behavior?