“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” ~Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
Private Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah.
Private Arch is located on a side trail off the Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop in Arches National Park. As the name Devil’s Garden suggests, this trail traverses a fairly harsh landscape and the primitive loop is an even more challenging trail that fewer visitors to Arches NP actually hike. On the day we visited, private is exactly what we got. Though the parking lot at the trailhead was bustling with visitors, and the easier sections of the Devil’s Garden trail were filled with a continuous stream of hikers, because we chose to take “the road less travelled,” we really had an opportunity to spend a little extra time enjoying the beauty and solitude of this hidden little corner of God’s creation.
Like the passage from Matthew’s gospel suggests, good things don’t always come easy. Whether it is enjoying the beauty and solitude of a remote, less visited place in a busy national park, or the eternal life offered by following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the best destinations often require us to travel a more difficult path.
If you want to find your way to the less visited, scenic corners of our amazing national parks you either need to hire a guide who knows the trails or have a good map and the skills to read and follow it.
In our Christian walk we are equipped with the best map available, the Bible. But more than that we have the Master guide himself, who has gone before us, paying the price for our sins, and who through His mercy and grace is ready to show us the way.
Christ is the narrow gate through which we enter, and though the path may at times be hard, the reward of this challenging journey is nothing less than eternal life with our Master in His glorious kingdom!
Yours in Christ,
Todd the Hiker
© Todd D. Nystrom and Todd the Hiker, 2015.
Todd the Hiker 
Thank you for sharing Todd. Love the analogy here. While hiking, I do often go the road less travelled, so much more to see and experience, but not always the easiest. The same with my spiritual life.
~Carl~
Thanks Carl!
Thanks for the biblical integration and spiritual application. May we always find that narrow gate and have the discernment to enter into His blessings.
Amen!