A Vanishing Path

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
​​But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:6.

The woods are lovely dark and deep... with that nice smooth path beneath my feet. (Apologies to Robert Frost). In the first psalm, King David speaks of two paths, one for the godly and one for the ungodly. The first way is shown to us in John 14:6, where we learn that Jesus is the Way. The other path is shown to us by the world, and it does look inviting.

Broad and smooth, this path winds through the woods of life. There are seats along the way for the scoffers and scornful. They rest in ease, laughing at those new to the broad path, mocking with scorn those seeking a certain narrow gate. This road is easy with inclines smoothly taking the easiest routes to get to desired goals. Travelers think that it goes on forever, but David said that this way shall perish.

Imagine, there in the deepest and wildest part of the woods, after friends have gone their own way and others have stopped to rest further back, the path that was so broad and easy just vanishes. There is no going forward and no going back. The entire path has perished...gone like the illusion of truth in a bad lie that is revealed. The way was so easy that direction seemed unimportant, even insulting, and now dark trees all around block any chance at knowing north from south. Light and life drop away. No one comes to help because there is no path. Strange noises, ignored while the going was easy, begin to intrude as fear mounts high, choking off what was known as rational thought. What was thought to be known is now completely unknown. Darkness and horrible noises draw ever closer in the fading light of a worldly dusk. Does anyone hear the scream of the ungodly when the path vanishes?

It sure is dark outside. I wish some lout hadn't gone and changed the time again. Phoo! Can I get a teddy bear over here? Let us not forget the ungodly. Pray for them to call for that rescue before it is too late and a terrible fear prevents even those few simple words, "Save me, Lord Jesus! I repent of my way."

Bucky