Life... is a journey. Is it not? You and I and every other man and women in this earth are travellers.

Some, who are wise, recognise the need to carry a map for guidance and direction. Through testing and trial, the Bible is taken as the rule of their life, to guide them through the difficult way. In this map, two paths are found. One is easy, the other difficult. One leads to death, the other to life.

Unsurprisingly, most take the easy path. Dazzled by promises of honour, fame, wealth and the like, they fail to see the end of this easy path, which is death.

Some however, guided by the map, see the dangers of the easy way and seek to cast themselves up upon the narrow, difficult path. Clouds and fog often seem to obscure this path, but always they keep their eyes fixed on where they last saw the light, and inch by inch they progress heavenward.

Considering this allegory, let's read these solemn words.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matthew 7:14

Which path are you on, my friend?

We can pride ourselves that we have our lives all mapped out. We may have plans, dreams, goals and a bright future awaiting us from the world. But let's face the truth about the broad, easy way. Prosperity is pointless, wealth is worthless, money is meaningless, fame is futile, entertainment is emptiness; indeed all is vanity, but that narrow path! That path trod by Christ Himself!

Again God's word calls to us:

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." - Luke 13:24

Doesn't this send alarm bells sounding in our mind? Why is this so? Why do many fail of entering into this strait, or narrow gate? After all, what is this gate? Listen to what Jesus says:

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..." - John 10:9

You see, there is no other means of entering the narrow way, but by Christ. For "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

In a love and tenderness Jesus pleads with us to come, walk with Him, on the way of life.

Yet Why are so many unwilling to enter in through Christ? It is because of this:

"And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." - Luke 9:23

There are things we must give up! The way is narrow, it will cost us everything. There will be things that must be left behind. We will have to deny ourselves of the pleasures of sin. Indeed we must "strive to enter in at the strait gate".

But be encouraged dear reader! One who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:16) has walked the way before us. It is he that bids us to "follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21). He will doesn't ask us to do something that He Himself has not done.

So today, let us cast away all that ties us to the ways of death. Let's open our hearts to Christ, and Christ alone. Let's walk His ways, follow His steps, live His life.