You always wanted to see a live volcano, and when two long-time friends invited you on a trip to Iceland to see an erupting volcano, you say yes! It is the trip of a lifetime, and you were excited to see your friends at the airport.
Late in the day, you finally set off toward the volcano in an area known for sheer cliffs, unstable rock formations, and sudden drop-offs. But you forge ahead, excited to see such an extraordinary phenomenon. Hearing the rumble of the volcano, you come to a fork in the road, with a narrow path heading up a steep slope, and a broad path continuing forward. In spite of a warning sign that the broad path was treacherous, your friends continued on that path, as it looked much easier. You choose the narrow path and started upward.
Soon a deep fog settled upon the mountain, and you could barely see where you were going. Just as you decided to head back, you heard the screams of your friends as they fell into the deep volcano. Horrified, you inched your way back to the hotel. A search party the next day found a backpack on the precipice edge, the only sign of your two friends. Even though they received warnings, they mushed ahead, oblivious to the disaster that lay ahead for them.
This story also applies to the spiritual realm:
“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
Late in the day, you finally set off toward the volcano in an area known for sheer cliffs, unstable rock formations, and sudden drop-offs. But you forge ahead, excited to see such an extraordinary phenomenon. Hearing the rumble of the volcano, you come to a fork in the road, with a narrow path heading up a steep slope, and a broad path continuing forward. In spite of a warning sign that the broad path was treacherous, your friends continued on that path, as it looked much easier. You choose the narrow path and started upward.
Soon a deep fog settled upon the mountain, and you could barely see where you were going. Just as you decided to head back, you heard the screams of your friends as they fell into the deep volcano. Horrified, you inched your way back to the hotel. A search party the next day found a backpack on the precipice edge, the only sign of your two friends. Even though they received warnings, they mushed ahead, oblivious to the disaster that lay ahead for them.
This story also applies to the spiritual realm:
“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
When we cross the veil of death and step into eternity, there is no turning back – our destiny is set. And eternity is a very, very, very long time.
You and I know people – friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances – who are on the wide path that leads to the Lake of Fire. We need to reach out to them with the love and truth of Jesus, for time is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
To God be the glory
Board of Evangelism