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.

Seek and you will find...

Matthew 7:13-14 & Matthew 7:7, NIV (1978)

Imagine that you are planning on going to Amarillo, Texas. In that city lies great wealth and happiness. Since this is what you want out of life, this is where you want to be, so you get in the car and head out on a random road. The problem is that the road you are on is actually south of Amarillo, and you are headed due east. Kind people along the way let you know that you are going in the wrong direction, that you are actually headed towards Dallas, not Amarillo.

Now Dallas, in our example, is not the place you want to be. You have been assured that Dallas (no offense to the fine people who live there. Remember: this is just an example) is a place of poverty and misery. Dallas is the last place you want to be, but you like the road you are on, and you have decided that regardless of what the signs indicate and what people say, that this road will take you to Amarillo.

Should you be surprised when you end up in Dallas? Not if you are using that fine brain that God has given you, but that is the point of this article. Anyone who is wanting to end up in Amarillo while traveling the road to Dallas just isn't acting in a prudent manner. They probably don't even need to be driving in the first place. We should all be able to see that, and most people do.

But now, consider this: There are many people who would like to be in Heaven someday. They have heard that it is a place of great happiness - and they believe it! On the other hand, only a fool would want to end up in Hell. We have been assured by God that it is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, and no sane person would want to go there.

Yet, here is the problem: Most people like the easy way of that old, broad road. The many people who are already on this path appear to be having more fun, and they certainly are well-intentioned. None of those on this path to destruction really believe that this is where that road will take them. Even though all the signs are clear and the Lord Himself has warned that this broad road will lead to death, no one on this path believes it. 

They are convinced that they are going to the same place as those who entered by the narrow gate, just by a different path!

But one thing we should all understand: The road you are on will determine your destination. Jesus made this very clear. He wants us on that narrow path - He even paid the toll for this path with His own shed blood. Before dying on the cross, He made it very plain that many would choose the wide path, while only a few would choose the narrow one. He even made this guarantee: If we will seek the narrow path, we will find it. It was only after that guarantee that He revealed most would still choose the easy way that leads to destruction. 

Jesus' unambiguous words should cause us all to pause and consider the question, "which road are we on?" For one thing has been made crystal clear: The path you and I are on, will really determine our destination. A wise person would want to make sure of his direction, wouldn't he? Wouldn't you?