The Beautiful Gate

   Living in Virginia is a continual, lovely feast to the eyes. Even a normal drive to school affords us the visual gift of trees and mountains with the splendor of rolling hills . . . never mind the curves and bends of the roads, it is a truly gorgeous piece of God's creation!

   If you take a drive off the beaten path, you often see the unique stone fences which bring to remembrance another era, remaining in their own kind of semi-stately beauty. You would be hard pressed to "climb over" some of these for sure! Not for their height necessarily, but for the jagged edge of the stones on the top. Finding the "gate" to allow entrance would certainly seem a better choice.

  In John chapter 10, Jesus clearly lays out for us the way "in" to eternal life. He mentions those who try and find another way -- perhaps vaulting over the fence row, or digging a hole and crawling under -- and He warns that these are not true sheep, but our thieves and robbers.

  The day in which we live boasts as many "religions" as there have ever been . . . and it seems to keep growing. The true path to eternal life has one way in and that is through Jesus Christ. HE is the "gate" and He is the Good Shepherd. Those who are true sheep will know His voice.

  In this day of clamoring voices, and subtle lies, let's keep our ears tuned to hear the voice of our true Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Taking time to commune with Him is the way we follow closely. Add nothing to His Word, take nothing away -- it will stand forever!

  The seemingly "beautiful gates" of other religions do not lead to eternal life. Jesus is still the ONLY way. We haven't "progressed" beyond Him, or become so smart we don't need Him. There is no path around Him, and avoidance certainly isn't the answer to the peace we seek. We cannot truly live without Him. He IS the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!

   And . . . why would we want to choose another way? Why try to "sneak in" another gate? He IS everything that is good, beautiful, right, lovely . . . why trade Him for the cheap, unsatisfying journey of another path? All that we need -- He is!

  Emrace Him today -- and find -- ETERNAL LIFE!

Take it with You

"Therefore Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture." (John 10:7-9 NIV)