Two Paths—A Conversation with Youth

Making choices is a part of life.  We make them every day.  What do I wear, what do I want for breakfast, what do I want for lunch, who will I sit with at lunch, what classes will I take, and on and on.  Most choices have little consequence.  Choosing our lunch is not a significant decision.  Although if you are allergic to something, it takes more examination.

The culmination of choices in life usually develops our character.  The choices determine who we become.  The good news is that even if we have made terrible choices, there can always be a new day, a new beginning, a new sunrise.  I used to say to people:  If at times you wish you had never been born, try being born again.  Yes, this was a religious statement, but it could just as easily be a life decision to change. But ultimately, this little article is about two paths continually before you in your youth, and indeed later in life.

Jesus talked about two paths, two roads, two directions.  One, he called the narrow path that leads to good things, and the other a broad way that leads to terrible consequences.  These paths are very opposite, and choosing the right way is vital to your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health.  It would be great if you could choose a path, and you are done; however, there is always the temptation to get off the narrow path and on to the broad path.

There is an interesting thing about these paths in life.  The broad way is filled with people.  There is plenty of room on the path.  All are welcome on the path.  There is no judgment on the path.  It is wide open and has a feeling of freedom!  Free to be whatever I want to be and do whatever I want to do.  It is a fun path for sure; however, it leads to destructive consequences.  No one challenges your choices on this path.  It is live and let live.  Jesus tells us the secret to this path’s end.  It is destructive.  The way is broad, but the more you walk down the path, the more narrow it gets.  Your bad choices begin to close in on you.  Destructive behaviors develop and begin to define you.

FREEDOM                                                      CONSTRAINED narrow

Jesus also talks about the narrow path.  It is a path with fewer people on it.  They are not perfect people.  They have anxiety and worry and concern, but they choose to follow the path less traveled.  At first, it feels constrained.  I should not do this.  I should not do that.  This is harmful.  This is okay, and that is not.  It seems to constrain and limit, and not a lot of your friends may be on this path. You say,  I want to follow God, and I know he wants the best for me, so I will stick it out.  

Yes, you will make mistakes on this path.  You will not be perfect, but you get up and continue down the path.  Why?   There is a beautiful secret Jesus tells us about this path—it leads to life.  Life.  It also is the opposite of the broad path.  At first, it feels so constrained and like following a rule book; however, as you travel on it, you find more joy, real friends, and authentic life.  You still have issues.  You still fall, but you can get back up and move on.  As you travel on this path you discover great freedom and the fact that God loves you and has a plan for your life.  You are here for a purpose that ONLY YOU can fulfill.  Wow!!  Jesus doesn’t say it is easy, but he does promise that it leads to life. 

Narrow Path

The path you choose is your choice and yours alone.  Jesus wants you on the narrow path, for he knows it is best for you.  The world may try to pull you to the broad path, but in the end, it is only trouble.  Maybe you are on the narrow path and have fallen.  Get up and keep moving.  Or you are on the broad path, find someone on the narrow path, and get going.

Jesus gives us a choice.  Athletes know that long term discipline brings long term gains.  Discipline brings new freedom in play, redundancy forces the muscles to remember, and the game becomes natural.  Students know that study will get you a better grade.  Discipline, study, and respect are to be found on the narrow path. 

Love God. Love yourself. Respect others. Love others. Know God has a purpose for your life. Find friends that desire to walk the narrow path that leads to life.

From Jesus:

 “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.” (Matthew 7:13,14 NIV)

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