Two Roads. One Choice.

As you travel on the Timeless Path, you may notice, just a short distance to the left, a much wider path with countless people on it. A path that runs parallel to the Timeless Path you are on.

The people on this path will beckon you to cross over. They will tell you that their path has everything you want and need—riches, fine clothes, elite cars, huge homes, and endless parties. They will appear friendly and, on the surface, seem to have your best interests at heart.

But they will lie to you and tell you nothing will happen to you if you join them because their faith is true. They will tell you that your path is too rocky, too narrow, too hard, and that everything you desire can be found on their path.

Don’t listen to them. These lies are an illusion and a deception. Your path leads to life, and their path leads to destruction. Their path is the one that most of the world travels on.

Many years ago, I came across a poem that describes the vast difference between the two paths and what might happen should we choose the wrong path.

It is called…

THE CHURCH WALKING WITH THE WORLD.
By Matilda Caroline Edwards, 1936.

THE Church AND THE WORLD walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.

“Come, give me your hand,” said the merry World,
“And walk with me this way!”
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
And solemnly answered “Nay,
I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to death.
Your words are all untrue.”

“Nay, walk with me but a little space,”
Said the World with a kindly air;
“The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there;

Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain;
The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe;
There’s room enough for you and me
To travel side by side.”

Half shyly, the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low,
“Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair.”

The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous, curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one.”
Said the Church, with a smile of grace;

Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the World gave, in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While over her forehead, her bright hair fell
Crisped in a thousand curls.

“Your house is too plain,” said the proud old World,
“I’ll build you one like mine;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine.”

So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold;
Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.

Laughter, music, and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
There were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

“You give too much to the poor,” said the World.
“Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?
Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages, fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and costliest wine.

My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in.”

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan’s cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.

Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
“I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast.”

The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside—
“The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride.”

The angel drew near to the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame;

And a voice was heard at last by the Church
From Him who sat on the throne,
“I know thy works, and how thou hast said,
‘I am rich, and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;’
Therefore, from my presence cast I thee out,
And blot thy name from its place.”

REFERENCES.

Luke 13:24 – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.”

Jeremiah 6:16 – This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

About Phil Basten

Phil is a minister in the United Life Church and is a retired Professional Counselor. He is a father to 3 wonderful daughters and six amazing grandchildren. He is also husband to an incredible woman who never ceases to amaze him.