The Three Paths

When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It!  Yogi Berra

Life presents us with many choices, but there are three basic “ways” or paths that we can choose for our life. The path we choose is identified by what we place as our highest priority.

Unfortunately, the most common path or way for most, and perhaps the easiest is the “Worldly Way”.  Here the highest priority is pure self interest. This is the way for man to achieve his own end by his own self-centered terms.  Pride is the driving force for those that choose this path.

Another, less common path or way is the “Religious Way”.  Here the man’s goal is not just to achieve his own end, but to reach God—but in most cases it is still based on self-centeredness as the religious man, many times seeks to use God for his own purposes.  Pride again is the driving force for far too many that choose this path.  Being religious is seen as a way to set oneself up as better than others, and treats God almost like a Santa Claus who rewards those who are well behaved and “worthy”.

A much less common path or way of life is the “Kingdom Way”.  Here, the highest priority is to please God—seeking a place in His Kingdom.  Pride is no longer the driving force—it is replaced by Love—Love of God and of other men/women.  Self-interest and pleasing one-self takes a backseat to pleasing God.

Jesus Christ warned about the “Religious Way” as recalled in Matthew 23 as he berates the religious leaders of his time for being hypocrites.  He tells us in John 14: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He warned about the “Worldly Way” and the “Religious Way” in Matthew 7:  “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”       

He also warned that putting God first and yourself second was difficult when he taught “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”

What is your highest priority—pleasing yourself or pleasing God?  Seeking to please God is the only way to secure a place in His Kingdom for eternity.   We do not secure a place in His Kingdom because of our efforts, but by God’s Grace. God is not just pleased because of our efforts, but rather primarily because of our priorities.  Putting Him and others first, and ourselves second, is the key to following the “Kingdom Way”.  Put God’s Glory ahead of your own.

Do your best in the competitions of life, not for your own benefit, but to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16.  Declare Jesus Christ as your Lord, follow Him and the Holy Spirit will teach you the “Kingdom Way”.

Blessings,

Chaplain Wayne Strout