Since The Portuguese withdrew from Angola , many years ago, the country’s roads, bridges and transportation systems have fallen into disrepair while the country engaged in civil war. Trucks sit beside the roads, lacking the replacement parts that would enable them to run. Bridges have collapsed and the roads are full of potholes. On a trip to Angola , a representative from a benevolent organization was being driven through the impoverished, war-torn country to assess the needs, when he noticed that his driver made no attempt to avoid the deep potholes and ruts characteristic of that nation’s highways. In fact, the driver seemed to be avoiding those places where some repair work had been carried out—those few holes that had been filled in. Curious, he asked his driver why he avoided those few relatively smooth patches of road. “Because,” came his reply, “that’s where the land mines are.”
Friends, we need to be careful, for the smooth and easy way is not always the best way—there can be hidden troubles. The easy way, spiritually speaking, leads to destruction. Our Lord said, “Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Avoiding the potholes of life may not always be the safest route.
- via THE SOWER, a weekly publication of the Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL. Ron Bartanen, who serves as minister and editor, may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.arthurchurchofchrist.com
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