This is a picture of the narrow, one lane road that runs by the Hanny homestead about five miles outside of Fremont, OH.  You can’t get two cars on it at the same time without one going off into the grass.  Also, there are many things to distract you as you drive or walk down this road.  You might see all kinds of birds or butterflies.  You might see raccoons, squirrels, or even deer.  All of these things are nice to see and can take your attention away from the narrow road.

Matthew 7:13-14 tells us, ” Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are which go in there.  Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.”

We have all heard people say, “You must walk the straight and narrow way.”  It is because of this scripture.  Indeed, it is easier to waver or become distracted on a wider path, both spiritually and in the natural.  We each must choose which path we will take, but it is clear which path God desires us to take.

The broader path gives one much more “wiggle room”,  More opportunity to compromise our beliefs.  All this extra freedom makes it harder to stay focused on the things of God.  We all occasionally slip off the straight and narrow and wander onto the broad path.  The trick is to see it for what it is and be swift to correct the problem.

The straight and narrow path really does keep us out of a lot of trouble.  It may take a more diligent driver to stay on the narrow path, but the benefits far out weigh the challenge.