Last evening I attended the monthly marketing meeting at my church. It is a wonderful group of talented writers, photographers, graphic design artists and computer experts. They are a dedicated bunch eager to spread God’s Word both here and around the globe.
The building is undergoing a major remodel so we were relegated to the coffee shop just inside the front door. From where I was sitting I had the perfect view of the main entrance with its winding pathway and manicured rows of newly planted shrubbery. Facing the parking lot was a large sign proclaiming, “Please Use Sidewalk.” I watched as people arrived for the evenings many activities and noticed most of them cutting through the landscaped area. They completely bypassed the sidewalk, using instead a shortcut to the front door.
These days shortcuts are a way of life. They are designed for the impatient, initiated by the hurried and endorsed by the masses. Even our computers are equipped with shortcuts to find our favorite web pages, supposedly saving time and stress for the user. Yes, I have a high speed internet connection but I subscribe to the economy version. It is cheaper and a little slower but more than adequate for this patient writer.
Born again believers understand there are no shortcuts to the eternal pleasures of everlasting life. Only large doses of submission, faith and commitment will deliver us through the promised gates of perpetual love.
Listen as Jesus describes the path to endless life,
“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road to destruction,
and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life,
and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14
Pretty specific wouldn’t you say? There is no possible way to reach our ultimate destination without the permission of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Only by the acceptance of the sacrificed blood of Jesus and our willingness to follow in His footsteps will the gates of peace and hope remain open.
Read the following words of summary written by Paul during his imprisonment in Rome,
“But now in Jesus Christ you who were once far away
have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”
Ephesians 2:13
And all who believe say, “Amen.”
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Manna and Coffee 
Amen