At a Fork in the Road

"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

Have you ever noticed that a fork in the road only ever has two possible directions? One can choose to go this way or that. Right or left. But to continue one must choose a direction. Most of the time these are figurative forks in the road. One must choose not right or left, but right or wrong. Truth or lie. Give or keep. Sober or drunk. Child or... not. Sleep or church. To speak up or keep silent. Put out or keep sacred. Forgive or hold a grudge.

The LORD says that there are two paths. One can choose the narrow road or the broad one. But he never says that once you are on one road that you will or have to stay on it. Only a few find the narrow way. Surely there are people along that path who are bound to encourage and guide the way. But it may not always be easy. There are turns in life that are hard to navigate. It's easier to find your way around when the path is wider... when you have a little wiggle room. But salvation waits there.

He says there are many people on the broad path. But there is destruction there; hard times and hard consequences. But I wonder if it is broad so that there is room to turn around... and find the forgiveness He offers.