This path we speak about, the way that we are on, or at least supposed to be on, how do you envision it, in your mind what do you see? Is it tree lined with beautiful streams and ponds, or is it desert, with pits filled with boiling pain? The base that your spiritual feet tread upon, carpeted or sharp rocks, smooth and flat, always a steady incline or dangerous decline?
The circumstances of our lives are how we see the path, and it is one of the deceptions of Satan to attempt, if he cannot persuade us off of the path, to at least see it as only temporary when it is difficult, or as not wanting to leave it a certain spot on it when it is comfortable to tread upon. It is why there are so many diversions these days, in fact, nearly every hour, his main plan has always been to keep our eyes and minds off the prize that is Christ, (Phil 3:14) hence the continuous, “This is important today!”
No one enjoys the rough and rocky path, the one that leads into the valleys of life, but not one person who has been crucified with Christ attempts with all they are to avoid them, they are necessary for our growth, if not, we become stagnant. In the nations where almost everything is available to us at the click of a screen, the path is expected to be one of plush carpeting, a life of ease, for is that not what the Lord desires for His children, wonderful times in this life and even greater joys awaiting us. I fear that many today who call Him Lord look at the path this way, expecting it to be continuously without any real turmoil, that the Lord wants them to be happy and healthy, without any real burdens to carry. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)
The cross we carry is related to the path, in fact, without one we cannot have the other, for both are intertwined in our lives. Is the path related to our circumstances, of course, are those circumstances foreseeable, yes, here the Scriptures are very clear. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12) So you know full well that if you are on what we shall call an easier part of the path, that up ahead there is tribulation and trials. And the opposite? “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8) So in all terms, is the way of the path easy, yes, always, no matter what, for He is always by our side. But here then is the part that far too many who profess Christ as Lord seem to miss, He wants you to go through the valley of the shadow of death, He wants you to have to climb over the sharp rocks, to feel the trouble and turmoil, so that you will lean on Him even more, until you come to the realization of the truth, that I can do nothing without Him, (John 15:5) but that I can do all things through Him. (Phil. 4:13)
Pride is to die on your path, it is one of the reasons we are on it, it is not to be looked at like a journey of life, it is to be the way of the knowledge of life. The end of the path is sure for all those who put their faith in the Lord, the way of the path, no matter what part of it you are on, is how we learn about Him, whether it be that He has given you rest for the moment, or the storm is brewing around you.
I will leave you with this question, which I cannot answer, are only those who have participated in the fellowship of His suffering (Phil 3:10) going to enter into the kingdom of God?
