Once a father took his three sons on a winter hike. They came to a field
glistening white from a snow the night before. There was not a single track of
any kind that had been made in the field. The father, wanting to challenge his
youngsters and perhaps teach them a lesson suggested they have a contest: Which
one could walk the straightest path across the field?
The first trudged across the field keeping his eyes down to watch each step,
trying to put each foot directly in front of the other. When he reached the
other side, he looked back, and to his surprise the tracks were curved like the
letter "S" in their course.
The second lad started, taking a few steps and then looking back to see if his
path appeared straight. About every ten to fifteen steps the process was
repeated. When he finished he eagerly surveyed the entirety of his course, but
discovered it wasn't really straight at all - it was in segments, veering to
right, and then to the left.
The third, seeing the other two had failed, employed a different strategy! He
looked directly at his father who stood on the opposite end of the field. He
walked toward his father, never taking his eyes off of him. Having completed the
trek, his path was the straightest of the three by far.
The wise father then taught the boys, saying, "Sons, there is just ONE path in
life that is straight and true, and that is the way of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
As you go through life, keep your eyes on Him, 'looking unto Him,' (Hebrews
12:2) and your course will always be right! Remember, He is the Way. Trust Him,
and DO what His Word teaches and you won't go wrong." *
Keep your eyes on Jesus.... believing in Him and trusting Him (Acts 16:31),
repenting of your sins (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing your faith in Him
(Romans 10:9-10), being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38), and following Him diligently (Hebrews 12:2). THEN, you will be sure to
reach the proper destination.
"Enter by the NARROW gate.... for wide is the gate and broad is the way that
leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because NARROW is the
gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find
it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
Are YOU following Jesus?
David A. Sargent creekwood@comcast.net
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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