Staying On the Path

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

-- Psalm 16:11

The Christ-follower's experience is often compared to a long journey on a winding road or a climb up a mountain. And it's true: you never know what's around the bend or over the next hill. And it's all too easy to lose your footing and take a tumble.

About 50 miles past Charlottesville, Virginia, is a beautiful spot in the mountains called Crabtree Falls. If you're unfamiliar with it, it takes a bit of a hike to reach once you park your car. But once you do, you'll see that the view is spectacular.

One thing that quickly becomes apparent is that the narrow, rocky trail that leads to the waterfall leaves little margin for error. And there's a sign at the water's edge that warns hikers to stay on the path. In fact, it explains that two hikers died after leaving the trail and slipping on the moss-covered rocks. The sign urges its readers to stay safe by keeping on the path.

That's the same wisdom that God gives us for our own faith journeys. Life's problems, temptations and tragedies seem to wait for us around the next bend. And compromising our principles with the world's values trips us up all the time. But when we choose to become Christ-followers, we choose to stay on His narrow path...even when the terrain gets rough.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it," warns Jesus. "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Of course, we're all bound to slip and fall once in a while. Even the Apostle Paul--the man God chose to write much of the New Testament--described himself as the "chief of sinners." But we can rest assured that God is always there to pick us up and put us back on the path that leads to real Life. 

So just follow His lead...and you'll eventually reach the destination. It will be an unforgettable trip. And word is that the view is out of this world.