Which Path Do You Choose?

[Day 2] Grasmere: Memory Lane - Behind the Church (2 of 6), a photo by fridgeuk on Flickr.

A discussion I had with long time girlfriends last night had me pondering the paths we choose. Andy Stanley writes this book Direction of the Path and he sheds insights on our choices and the paths we take in life.

We all choose a path to take in life and sometimes that path seems different from another person, but the end destination is the same.

One person may have an awful childhood, another whose childhood was intact, but the child broken inside. One chooses a safe route, or so she thinks. Another chooses a dangerous route. They both end up at the same place.

How is that so? Maybe the one who thought she was on the safe route walked in the center of that path, no fear of veering off the path. While the other, on the same path, walked the edges, enjoying the thrills.

In the end, it was the wrong path for both. Where did they choose the wrong path initially? At the crossroads.

The only way to get off the path, Pastor Stanley says, is to change the direction and get on a different path. You can't do that unless you acknowledge that you are on the wrong path and that you must change directions.

The expression, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Intentions is not enough for you to be on the right path. You must CHOOSE the right path.

Jesus Christ ----> Heaven

Not choosing Christ specifically -----> Hell

Pretty stark, profound, but simple. You must not only believe there is the right path, but you must contientiously make that choice.

Ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior by realizing you are a sinner, that Christ came to earth to die for your sins. He is the only way to God, and there are no other means (i.e., good works, giving money to needy people, doing good things, being what you think is a good person).

Jesus conquered death and is alive today. Not only believe all these things, but ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life, to be Lord & Savior of your life.

Really mean it as much as you can right at this moment, but that's it in choosing the right path for your eternal destination.

Maybe you think you're a Christian because you live in a Christian nation or you've gone to church, or even grew up in the church. None of those things make you a Christian. Not only must you individually believe in what Jesus Christ did for you, but you must accept & receive it for your own.

It doesn't count if someone else wants it for you. You must make the choice yourself.  Don't rationalize it.  It doesn't always make sense.  Intention is not enough.  You must take action.

Once you're on the right path, then to continue on that path (by the way, once you're on that path, you can't ever get on the wrong path again, but you can still make wrong choices, like being on the fringes of the path), I suggest you find a good Bible believing and practicing church that suits you to grow.

There are many different churches for all different people. I've gone through the gambit, but one thing remains, they are all strong in the Word of God - the Bible.  However, as a caveat, not all churches are good churches or the right church.

If you have any questions, concerns or just want to know more, leave a comment for me or message/email me.

God bless you.  You can make the right choice for your eternal destination in a matter of a couple minutes.  That's it.