One Way

March 14, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

Upon reading the most hysterical post on Facebook by Kim Foster, I could not help but put my life in the same situation as what she was saying. She shared how an elderly woman, heading towards a parking lot, would enter it by way of the green grass (oops), not by the way of the hard pavement. Then she said of herself, “I have become that woman”, as she took the same route. LOL She was young enough that her excuse she was engrossed in conversation and didn’t see it coming was valid. I laughed so hard. THEN, my mind went back to one day when I came upon a round-a-bout (I hate those things!!) and as I entered it (me being the only car in it) Jim was saying, “you’re going the wrong way, you’re going the wrong way, VINY, wrong way!” My first thought, knowing I had turned too quickly, was to say, “Why didn’t you tell me!” LOL Of course, that did not work. And I could have thought, knowing me, “I am taking a short cut to the Mexican Restaurant!” I’m sure my excuses could go on and on. Sometimes do you feel like you are an expert on excuses? The truth – I took the wrong route! I’m becoming the elderly lady that Ms. Kim said she was becoming like! It is driving down the wrong pathway!

Recently I posted about my stepfather, Ed Miller, leading his 85 year old brother to the Lord. He has prayed for his family and out of love for them, did his best to show them Jesus. However, like so many, life has other choices for individuals to choose. The road leading to Heaven, according to the unbeliever, has many choices. However, just like the round-a-bout having only one direction you can go, there is only One Way that leads to eternal life with Jesus. You do not get the choice of going the wrong way. It will not get you the desired destination you thought you deserved. Just like the green grass leading to the parking lot, the wide road is the same. Green and plush offers some comforts, BUT, don’t take it for granted. Praise God when someone chooses the right road to Heaven.

Matthew 7:13-14, ““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. 14) Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Years ago I was traveling southbound on I-65 heading to Nashville with my children. Jim was out of the country with the military. Ahead, around Cave City, KY, was a horrible wreck. As the traffic came to a complete halt, I sat watching several turn their vehicles around, head through the green median and go Northbound so they could take a different route. Of course, you know my mind was reeling! I thought, “I’m sure I can go through that too. It’s soft green grass.” Midway through the median my children and I heard, “Crunch!”. Oops! I got up on the interstate and took the 1st exit off. I had ripped off most of the bumper under the front of my car. Now was the question of how I would even get it home! Wrong way! Wrong pathway! Wrong decision!

Jesus said to choose the narrow pathway – the path that leads you to Him! The wide path has so many choices and they look appealing, but they do not lead to Jesus. The cross is the narrow way. It calls us to look to Calvary and see the death, burial and resurrection. Jesus did so much for us, why do we think or believe we can choose anything we want and do it our way, then be rewarded with Heaven! Want your bumper ripped off? Go your own direction! Want to get to Heaven and spend eternity with Jesus, don’t take the soft road! The hard payment of life may be a bit rough, but taking the Narrow Way will be worth it all!

John 14:6, (Jesus speaking) “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, except by Me.” Keep your eyes on Jesus (the narrow road) and do not get distracted by greenery of the wide road!