Choosing the narrow path that is focused on God is has been difficult for me to sustain. A path like this high up in the Canadian Rockies was a reminder of what it means to keep my eye on what is directly in front of me.

This was the path on the way to Terminator Peak. It was narrow and often went straight up. Several sets of stairs had been forged out of the rock to make it safer to traverse. In one area there was a rope that had been anchored to the rocks for hikers to hold onto as they climbed a particularly narrow and steep stretch.

The climb required staying focused on the narrow path and not looking around. Simply taking this picture caused a little unsteadiness. There was not enough room to stumble.

^17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. (Philippians 3:17-19 MSG).

The climb required intense focus. My walk with Christ requires intense focus. I’ve noticed that when life is smooth and things are going well I lose focus. I wander. I stumble. I become distracted. Then life throws a challenge and my eyes are quickly focused on the narrow path. My prayer life increases. Reading scripture increases. I’m suddenly acutely aware of God at work in the situation. When will I stop wandering onto easy street and stay focused on Christ?

How do you stay on the narrow path? Do you wander off toward easy street? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.