Please Stay on the Path
Matt 7:14 "Small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it." NIV
"Please stay on the Path. Dangerous cliffs."
Cape Spear, the entrance point to the St. Johns' harbor in
Newfoundland, is both a beautiful and a historical site. The
view from the cape, which makes its place in world geography
by being the most easterly point in Canada, is spectacular,
even hosting, on some days, frolicking humpback and fin
whales. This is also the home of two beautiful lighthouses.
But in addition to all of this, Cape Spear also draws
thousands of tourists each year because of the remains of
World War II armaments and barracks anti-Nazi
defence
structures built to defend Newfoundland from possible
attack.
But throughout the entire network of gravelled paths circling
the cape were posted these warning signs: "Dangerous Cliffs"
and "Please stay on the Path"!
My sons, ages nine and eleven, thought Cape Spear was a
wonderful place to visit. They charged through the WWII
ruins, raced up the hills to the lighthouses, and scared
their poor papa to death by going out dangerously far on the
cliffs. "Guys," I cried. "Read the signs! Stay on the path!"
Their faces glowed in eager anticipation as they started
into one of their most annoying habits: Begging! "Why, papa?
We're not at the most easterly point yet. We want to see if
there are any whales! Besides, everybody is out on the
cliffs! We want to see what they are looking at!"
Sure enough, most of the visitors to Cape Spear seemed to be
ignoring the numerous, well-indicated warnings. So instead
of arguing, I led them to a plaque that had been placed on
the most easterly "safe" point on the cape. This plaque had
been dedicated in the memory of someone's son who had been
drowned from these same cliffs at the age of 24. Someone had
failed to observe the warning signs and the results had been
fatal.
"Look," I said, indicating the plaque. "This is what can
happen to those who ignore these warnings. These signs aren't
here to limit your freedom. They're here for your
protection!"
My boys didn't seem to be overly impressed, but the incident
produced the desired result: They stayed on the path!
Isn't it so typical for us to try and do things that we are
warned not to do? If the speed limit is 100 k/h (65 m/h), it
means to drive a minimum of 120 (75), and watch out for the
cops! "Do Not Enter" signs mean to quickly peak through the
door and see what's inside. "Don't touch" means to tap the
object when no one is watching. Parents with young children
can appreciate this one! Especially when in connection with
hot stoves!
Is it any wonder that we, as humans, tend to ignore most if
not all of the warning signs provided by God in His Word?
The consequences of not doing so, however, are disastrous.
If not now, then in the future!
It's like the couple who zoom down the highway in their
convertible. When they see a man frantically waving his arms
and yelling for them to stop, they say, "Just look at that
lunatic!" Then they drive off the end of the caved-in
bridge.
God cannot be lightly ignored. Remember, He has our best
interests at heart. He grieves when we ignore Him, when we
refuse to develop a close relationship with Him. He cries
for all those lost ones who are on their way to perdition,
ignoring his loving warning signs.
Why are there so many who are wandering outside the bounds
of safety? Why are so many of us blinded by our own ego? Why
do we seem to naturally gravitate towards the road that so
many others are taking? The Bible says: "Small is the gate
and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find
it." (Matt 7:14) NIV
Does this have to be the case for you? Are you heeding God's
warning signs? Or are you looking for opportunities to do
just the opposite? Remember: Cape Spears is beautiful, but
it can be deadly as well. Are you staying on the path?
Rob Chaffart