I haven’t posted an update because I’ve been traveling. Over the past several days, I’ve gone from Indiana, through Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota, making my way to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. On the way, we stopped at both the Badlands and Wall Drug (if you don’t know about Wall Drug, look it up).

The time has been wonderful. Not having a strict schedule has allowed me time to stop, ponder, and see things I wouldn’t normally be able to. I feel like I’m really entering into this time of sabbatical and rest.

I’ve been able to take some pictures of amazing places. I’ve also had time to continue my practice of reading scripture, prayer, and deepening my relationship with God.

Today I read this from Matthew:

¹³ “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell^[f] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 (Jesus)

I’ve heard and read this verse countless times before, but today, these two verses landed differently.

Yes, it is hard to follow the path to life. With so many distractions, it is much easier to choose some other ways…and there are many other ways. Jesus talked about the road “leading to destruction” (translated as “Hell” above) is broad.

One way that I look at this “broad way” is that it is wide…and not just one way…but many. There are many ways that lead us to destruction. However, there’s only one way that leads to life.

Being faithful to practices that strengthen our discipleship (traditionally called “disciplines”) is not easy. It’s so much easier to allow other things to push those practices out of our lives.

Yes, the way leading to life is hard and difficult. There will be days when we want to follow some other easier way, but in the end, those other ways don’t take us to where we want to be.

There is one way that leads to life and we are all invited to walk that path with Jesus. May you find life. May you follow Jesus.