I always endeavored to be on time for my dates. This date was scheduled during hunting season, and I knew what time I needed to leave the woods to shower and arrive on time for my evening rendezvous. I left the stand in plenty of time after spending most of the evening enjoying the beauty of nature. Unfortunately, this was an area that I had not hunted very often, so I became turned around in the woods. Being lost was a bad feeling, but I knew enough to seek out the light of a farmhouse and that fact would give me direction.

Upon finding this house adjacent to the woods I was hunting, the woman who answered the door was kind enough to let me borrow the phone. This was before cell phones were in every person’s hand, so I used the landline to let my date know I would be late. When I looked at the clock, I realized that I was two hours later getting out of the woods from hunting than I had anticipated.

The woman I would end up marrying was understanding when I called. She was not happy to miss our time together or my lateness in arrival, but she let the “incident” go with very few comments. I sincerely appreciated her gracious treatment of the situation.

If you have ever been completely lost, it is a terribly bad feeling. Being in pick black darkness, with a small flashlight, in the bottom of an isolated valley, did not loan itself to a comfortable feeling. As I made it out of the woods, I thought about the implications of being spiritually lost in comparison to being physically lost.

The Bible provides one with a type of roadmap that leads to eternal life. The thing about a “straight and narrow” pathway is that it is distinct. Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” In following this type of pathway, one can find true direction.

The Bible provides the way that we are to travel for eternal life. Jesus is the only way that we can live eternally in Heaven in the presence of God. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Unlike what many have attempted to say, Jesus is the only means by which one can obtain eternal life. It cannot be obtained through any other “god.” Jesus alone provides eternal life to His followers.

The Bible is an inspired document that does not provide incorrect directions. Sometimes directions that are provided by Google and other sources are imprecise. Many individuals have reported using GPS systems that have taken them astray of their intended destination. The Bible is fully and completely inspired. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God has made the plan of salvation easy for humankind to follow. If we are on the “highway” that is outlined in scripture, we will arrive at our destination if we stay on the path. Isaiah 35:8 says, “A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of

Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.” Even a foolish person cannot go astray walking on the highway God has designed that leads to eternal life.

God does not want us His creation to know the truth regarding salvation. We serve a God who in interested in the good and welfare of our souls. God wants people to arrive at the truth so that the Mediator can intercede upon our behalf. 1 Timothy 2:3-5 says, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Jesus Christ does not want to see any person lost. It would be a sad set of circumstances for humankind if we served a vindictive or cruel God. He wants people to have eternal life. Jesus provides undeniable evidence of that fact. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

As disciples of Jesus, we must let our lights shine to provide direction to people who are lost. That light should illuminate Christ above all else in our lives. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

The good thing about realizing one is lost is the ability to get one’s bearings and find direction. Sometimes that is the first step in finding correct direction. Do not be like a stubborn travel who continues to be lost when direction and salvation are readily available. Ask for directions from God’s word and He provides. Matthew 4:4 says, “But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”