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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