Hiking Trails

Sunday's sermon was from Matthew 7:13

and keeps rolling around in my mind.

"Enter through the narrow gate.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,

and many enter through it."

(Matthew 7:13)

Pastor Olson compared the wide road to the path most Christians take.

The ones who complain about prayer being taken out of schools, but don't pray.

The ones vocal about the 10 Commandments Sign being removed from the courthouses, but don't walk in obedience to them.  He said the wide roads are the ones that have billboards about God.  He said most people who call themselves Christians are on the wide road.

This born-again Lutheran minister says, the people who go through the narrow gate are the ones who have one-on-one encounters with God.  Like the fishermen who walked away from their boats and nets to follow Him. 

It reminded me of the Glacier National Park Roads.

The roads are all on the outside of the park

(you can drive them and see the beauty,

but not experience it up close)

except the Going to the Sun Road,

which is the only road that crosses the park.

It is narrow and winding

and a little tense for the driver,

but the view and scenery are breath-taking.

To really see the interior of the park,

you have to hike the trails

or canoe the rivers.

To get to the heart of the park

takes effort, perseverance, and submission

to the elements. 

 (and overweight, out of shape grandmothers probably can't do it!)

There's also danger of encountering bear.

Isn't it the same with us?

To get to the heart of God, experience His beauty and fullness,

we have to go through the narrow gate,

Meet with Him face-to-face,

Submit to Him,

Persevere,

and be aware of the enemy of our souls

 

We have to take the hiking trails

to see the heart of God.

Just Me Thinkin'....

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention." 

(Matthew 7:13-14 The Message)

Thanks for passin' by....