Virgin Gorda

"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 is the road that leads to life and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 NIV


On a trip to Virgin Gorda in the Caribbean, my family and I stopped at a public beach. It was beautiful. White sand, swaying palm trees, hammocks and crystal clear warm water full of tropical fish. The people on this cruise excursion began to enjoy several hours of paradise. We spent some time in this area when my brother pointed out a small cave formed within the enormous rounded boulders for which the island is known for.

As we entered the cave there were small red arrows pointing inside these boulders that framed the beach. The arrows led us up large rocks, through waste deep water and down a steep slope. Some spots you had to hold onto a rope to guide you and to hold you up. When we finished our journey...the most beautiful lagoon you could ever imagine was there. Peaceful waters, clear to the bottom and even whiter sand. I remember thinking; this must be like heaven because my idea of paradise was just this, God’s creation in all its glory.

We headed back to get the rest of our family to enjoy this splendor. My uncle, a usually easy going fun loving man, became quite grumpy. "I am happy here, it is beautiful right here" we pleaded with him to join us to see what was even better. "I SAID this is perfect to me", he quipped. We left him with the other one hundred or so people to enjoy the pretty beach. We took my mother up, through and down the narrow path and shared this paradise with her. Even though the hike there was a bit of a challenge it was worth it to her as well. We marveled at the tranquility of the water, the blueness of the sky, the vastness of the boulders, so round they looked almost soft. The only way to describe it is breathtaking.

To this day, 13 years later, when my uncle looks at pictures of what he missed out on...he is regretful. "what was wrong with me?"....."What was I thinking?"...Jokingly we snarl up our faces at him and say "I am happy right here".......He was comfortable where he was, he did not want to make a little effort, he thought he found perfection where he was............He stayed were the "many" stay and missed what the few of us found. How many times do we miss the narrow gate? Do we choose what is comfortable because God’s way seems a bit more of an effort? Do we think that our circumstance is as good as it gets, not realizing God’s way is best? When have we “followed the crowd” and missed a glorious blessing?

My prayer for you today is that you take the narrow road and the small gate. The rewards for the few that find it are breathtakingly eternal! Society's road is broad and wide....many take that route. Wouldn’t you rather be with the few that choose God’s path? I am sure others will follow you!