My husband and I spent three days at Silver City Mountain Resort near Three Rivers, California. The resort’s claim to fame is a 21-mile road that snakes up the Sierra Nevada Mountain and contains 639 turns. Driving the route can take over one hour.
The Difficult Road
At points, the treacherous road is only wide enough for one car, with sharp curves and perilous drop-offs. When we met another car on the road, it scared me as thoughts of plunging to my death flooded my mind. I closed my eyes while I grasped the door handle. My knuckles turned white from the pressure, and I stomped on my imaginary brake. Gasps escaped my lips, while my heart hammered against my ribs because of the unnerving path.
Once we arrived at the top, and I calmed down enough to focus, I marveled at the incredible beauty of nature in the surrounding area. Massive sequoias stood against the cloudless blue sky, their rough bark contrasting with the smooth needles of various pines. At 7,000 feet, the air felt crisp and cool, a welcome contrast to the sweltering 90+ degrees at the mountain’s base.
The detailed description of this mountain paradise on its website, promising breathtaking views and serene trails, is what drew me to it. “This remote and difficult destination is more than worth the effort, as you will never see tour buses or lines of people up here. Instead, you will find the mountains in their rawest and purest form. Nestled in this pure-redwood oasis is a Sequoia resort that boasts luxury cabins for an unplugged vacation.” (Silvercityresort.com). The view that unfolded before me exceeded all expectations.
God’s Road
The visit ended, and my heart filled with dread for the steep trip back down. These thoughts made me realize this visit was like Matthew 7:14 (NIV). A Christ follower’s path might mirror the resorts’ roads: tricky, with risks for those who lack focus. Driving the freeway of life might offer an easier path, but we might miss out on reaching the paradise (Heaven) God planned for us when we follow the crowds. The narrow, winding road of faith is like our arduous drive up the mountain, and our heavenly destination is worth the trouble.
A fun fact we learned is that back in the 60-70s, Walt Disney, known for his grand visions, tried to purchase thousands of acres on the Mineral King Mountain next to the resort. He planned to build a massive resort that included luxurious hotels, savory restaurants, and skiing, projecting over 2 million visitors a year. One of the major sticking points for Disney was the winding, pothole-ridden roadway up to the resort. At first, they planned to build a better road. As the cost soared, they envisioned a cog railway. Its rhythmic chugging would ferry visitors up the fifteen miles to the resort, sparing them the bumpy road.
After years of court battles, the Sequoia National Park incorporated the land of the resort into the park to protect it from any future commercial development. The area remains raw and pure, with a pristine landscape.
The Narrow Road
Matthew 7:13 in the NIV version encourages us to use the narrow (less popular) gate, though it’s a hard path. The world whispers temptations, a constant pressure for us to conform. They want us to crave the easy life, a life of plush comfort and effortless ease, and blindly follow the crowd without question. “Follow us!” they scream while Christ whispers, “Follow me, and I will lead you to paradise.”
Don’t trade the simple beauty of God’s plans for the alluring glitter of the world’s plan. And someday, God’s narrow and scary path will lead us to the sights and sounds of paradise in our heavenly home with him. The narrow path leads us to a deeper and more intentional relationship with God, guiding us to a life lived under His principles, rich with purpose. This differs from a worldly path, one of easy self-indulgence and pleasure. We have a choice, but God determines the ending, whatever it may bring.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before you as I choose to walk the narrow road, the one that leads to life through your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant me the strength, wisdom, and courage to turn away from the temptations and distractions of the world, and to follow your will. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, and guide me daily as I strive to walk in your ways. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Thanks, Yvonne, for this encouragement to stay on God’s path. The world can try to sway us to a different road, but only the Lord’s way leads to life.
Thanks Barbara. It is so easy for us to stray from God’s path. But staying connected can help us. God bless.
I loved this statement: “The narrow path leads us to a deeper and more intentional relationship with God, guiding us to a life lived under His principles, rich with purpose.” Narrow can sometimes feel like constraint and restrictions, but the narrowness also offers less of a view of distractions and draws us closer to God.
Exactly Marilyn. It always to keep our focus and cuts out the distractions. Thanks and God bless.
Yvonne, my husband and I in our YouTube travels to film, love views like the one you describe here. But sometimes the road to access God’s beauty is indeed narrow and a bit treacherous. And we’ve done it a few times in a class B van and I prayed us through. 🙂 I pray to stay on the Narrow path and way the Lord sets in front of me.
Thanks Karen. I pray we can always stay on God’s path. God bless.
God has told us that in this life there will be troubles. But, we can rest in knowing we are loved by Him. I pray I stay on His path and not choose my own way. God bless you. 🙂
The road can be rough but the reward is worth it. Thanks Melissa and God bless.
I love this. My husband and I often do excursions in our Jeep; he has a YouTube channel, and our trips often get difficult, enabling me to draw lots of parallels like the excellent ones you make above. You are right that the road of faith can be difficult and bumpy. But it is well worth it! 🙂
I will check it out. Thanks Jessica and God bless
I was beside you applying my brake going up that narrow, winding path. I’m curious. Would you make that drive again? Interesting fact about Disney and a wonderful analogy to our Christian walk.
I would do it again as long as we could stay longer instead of up and down over a few days. The beauty of the mountain top was worth it. Thanks Candyce and God bless.
Difficult roads that lead to God are always worth it. Thanks for this reminder, Yvonne. Your description of the road … I think I would have gotten car sick.😂
I know my daughter would be car sick on this road. But when the difficult road is a faith road, I’ll take it. Thanks Priscilla and God bless.
I’ve been on some scary narrow paths in my travels too! I like your conclusion: someday, God’s narrow and scary path will lead us to the sights and sounds of paradise in our heavenly home with him.
And the scary journey will be so worth it. Thanks Debbie and God bless
Yvonne, this was such a beautiful and powerful illustration. I felt like I traveled with you. After my life-threatening car accident, I battle anxiety in the car, so I can only imagine how scary that felt for you. How we need to seek the Lord through life’s rough roads and enjoy the pure and simple beauty wherever He may plant us. God bless you so much, dear friend!
I understand the anxiety a road like that could cause. So thankful He kept you around so you can reach many with your words. Thanks Melissa and God bless
I am plagued with motion sickness, so unless I was driving, the trip up or down the mountain would have made me SO very sick. But I sure would love to see that view. Yes, as Christians would take the tough, narrow, and hard roads as Christ followers, but the trip to heaven will be worth it all.
Thanks Katherine. Sorry that motion sickness is a problem for you but you’re right, our faith road is worth the struggle. God bless.
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