A year ago, my husband and I were standing on the southern-most tip of the United States known as Kalae “South Point,” Hawaii. As we gazed across the Pacific Ocean and marveled at the knowledge that there was nothing but deep blue seas from that last land cliff until you reached Antarctica, we realized we were also close to only one of four green sand beaches in the world.
Who doesn’t want to see a green sand beach; especially when it’s only a mere 2 miles away?
Next stop on the agenda- Papakolea a/k/a Green Sand Beach.
Sounds simple, but here’s the catch…. there isn’t an easy way to get to this secluded beach. There are no well-marked trails or pathways, and there aren’t any guides or maps. You just have to find the trail head, start moving and hope you are going the right way!
So, we hesitantly began and quickly discovered a rough 2-mile maze filled with ruts, twists, turns and off-shoots that went in multiple directions. We struggled with discerning the right path because the ones that were well-worn and wide were often wrong!
Indecision swirled in the air.
"Which way to go?"
"Didn't we just come this way?"
"Shouldn't we be there already?"
"Ugh, maybe we should just quit and turn back!"
Thankfully, perseverance paid off and the view a beautiful reward!
But, what if we were too afraid to travel the road? Got lost? Turned back? We would have certainly missed out on the reward and the adventure of the journey.
How much easier would this trip have been had, we had a guide? Someone who knew the way or at least could provide a detailed map!
A guide would have saved us time and spared us a lot of feelings of uncertainty.
Plus, no one likes to feel lost or worse yet, never arrive at your intended destination!
What resonates with me is the same goes for life.
Wouldn’t it be easier to navigate life with a guide and have confidence that you are on the right path and heading towards something beautiful?
The Bible tells us that there is a “small gate” and “narrow road’ that leads to life:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For 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 find it.” ~Matthew 7:13-14
Great, how do you find this gate and road?
Jesus, He tells us that He is the gate and the road.
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” ~ John 10:9
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ~ John 14:6
Lysa TerKeurst summarized this well, “Jesus doesn’t come to show a “better” way. There is no other way. There is one way, and that way is simply and solely through Christ.”
This is such wonderful news because it means we do have a guide and we can have confidences that we are walking on the right path! Christ who is the fulfillment of patience and love will never leave you and will never steer you wrong. He longs to show you the way, to lead you through the small gate and gently guide you along the narrow path that leads to life both now and eternal.
We couldn't ask for a better guide or a better destination!
So, if you find yourself struggling and uncertain what path you are on and where it is leading; pause for a minute and look for your guide- Jesus is waiting to lead you.
Lord Jesus, I want to follow you wholeheartedly along the narrow path. I know that you are the Good Shepherd and that you will never lead me astray. You are perfect and can be trusted in all things. Just as my weaknesses and doubts are great, great is my desire to follow you. Help me to start on this path, right here and right now and give me the strength I need to not waver, compromise or deviate from your way. Take my hand and lead me, Lord.
“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.” ~Psalm 25:4