Thorny Paths to Sweet Rewards

Earlier this week I went foraging for wild raspberries in my woods. Thousands of these tiny red fruits were everywhere under the canopy of oaks.  I needed only 10 cups to make a batch of homemade jam.  The problem with wild raspberries, however, is they have torturous thorns that really sting if they pierce your skin. Wearing protective clothing and boots, I carefully navigated the brambles, filling my bucket (and belly) along the way.  Pride in my self-sufficiency and thinking ahead to the sweet reward of my home-made jam on morning toast had distracted me from my task.  Suddenly, I was trapped by thousands of dagger sharp vines because I had forgotten to clear a path for my return.  

Isn’t this just like life?  We find ourselves confidently plugging along, so comfortable in our routines that we can become entangled by our sin.  Even when we come to our senses and recognize our need to change direction, we can not escape…at least, not in our own strength.  This is why we need the hope of Christ.  By confessing our sin to God and turning control of our life over to His son Jesus, we can be set free from the sting of our sin.  Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

No amount of good deeds on your life's journey are sufficient to fill your bucket and pay your entrance to heaven.  Jesus alone has cleared a safe, but narrow path for us to follow.  He wore a crown of thorns and felt the sting of our sins when He died on the cross.   We travel this path in faith, believing it will see us safely to the other side of eternity where our sweet reward will be seeing God face to face.  The question is, have you put your faith in Him alone? Have you acknowledged your own sinfulness and need for Jesus?

No matter how tough life gets here on earth, our sweet reward of eternal life will never lose its power.  As I struggle with cancer and an unknown prognosis, what a huge relief it is to know that there is so much more to life.  I couldn’t imagine navigating the thorny path of cancer without Jesus by my side.  The Bible is very clear on this point.  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36 NIV).  

Will you choose to join me and place your faith in Christ and desire the sweet reward of eternal life with Him?  It may be our fight, but it is all for His glory!