On the road to Life, grace is the predominant force experienced by travelers. Grace pulls travelers upward, giving them the ability to overcome the steep terrain and obstacles often encountered as they climb. Remember, the road to Life is a difficult uphill climb that requires work and sacrifice. It’s not a popular road, but for the few who choose to travel it, elevation is the reward.

Note: This is the sixth article in a series called Two Roads. Previous articles are always available at http://www.webbweekly.com.

Elevation provides both purpose and satisfaction. Purpose is the goal that fuels the passion to climb; satisfaction is the reward when the goal has been attained. From a summit, a traveler is able to look back and celebrate what their determination and hard work have accomplished. Life without purpose and satisfaction is meaningless — like chasing after the wind.

Elevation increases strength and stamina. Climbing builds muscle and expands heart and lung capacity, making the traveler fit for more challenging climbs and higher summits.

Elevation develops wisdom. Travelers learn that every item carried increases the size and weight of their load, making steep climbs more difficult. Wisdom helps them to identify non-essentials and leave them behind. The result is a light load and easier climbing. Jesus talked about carrying a light load in Matthew 11:28-30.

Wisdom is also developed as travelers navigate obstacles. That’s the thing about wisdom — it is gained in the struggles and difficulties travelers experience along the way. Travelers on the road to Life get plenty of opportunities to gain wisdom as they overcome challenges.

Elevation reveals future vision. From a summit, a traveler can see the majestic peaks yet to be conquered. This vision spurs them on, fueling their passion to keep on keeping on.

Finally, elevation produces influence. The higher a traveler climbs, the more they are seen, respected, and relied upon by their fellow travelers who look up to them. Having influence over others can be very fulfilling, but it brings with it significant responsibility because influence can be good or bad.

Good influence can be a source of grace to other travelers, lifting their spirits and inspiring them to keep climbing. We are all thankful for the elevated travelers in our lives whose faithful example has spurred us on to greater heights.

However, bad influence can be a source of gravity to other travelers, weighing down their spirits and causing them to question whether or not the climb is worth the effort. We are all terribly disappointed when an elevated traveler (like a celebrity minister/evangelist) suffers a fall from grace. But we are devastated when that elevated traveler is a member of our family or our local church. When someone who is looked up to falls from grace, the people within their sphere of influence are severely impacted.

Simply put, influence amplifies the grace or gravity being experienced by other travelers. That’s a very significant statement. It is the very reason why this series of articles is so important. Every traveler on the road to Life must be aware of how their decisions impact themselves and others. Ignorance is just too dangerous, so let’s start overcoming it right now.

3 Laws on the Road to Life

Law #1 – A fall is always possible.

While grace is the predominant force on the road to Life, gravity is still pulling down on every elevated traveler — that includes you and me. Listen closely; there is no height from which it is impossible to fall. It is vital that every traveler on the road to Life learns and heeds this first law.

Why? Because elevated travelers can become so accustomed to the pull of grace that they forget about the pull of gravity. Others become so full of themselves (pride and arrogance) that they believe they can defy gravity. Either way, the consequence of disregarding gravity will likely result in a devastating fall from grace. Wise is the traveler who understands this law and takes proactive steps to guard themselves from gravity’s downward pull.

Law #2: A fall is always predictable.

A fall doesn’t just happen. There are predictable steps that lead to a fall from grace.

If you are hiking and you fall from a cliff, you can go back and re-enact the steps you took that led to the fall. If you follow those same exact steps, you will fall again. If you follow them a third time, you will fall again. If you keep following the same steps, you will continue to get the same outcome. To do so would be insane, right? Then why do you keep following those same steps? It’s an important question you need to ask yourself.

Wise travelers are able to identify the steps that lead to a fall — and they stop taking them. Are you a wise traveler? Do you know the steps that lead to a fall? If not, then this series of articles is for you. It is God’s grace given to keep you from a fall. Yes, my friend, grace is pulling up on you right now.

Law #3: A fall is always preventable.

Because a fall is predictable, it is also preventable. If you are taking the steps that lead to a fall, then you can stop taking those steps. The good news is this: You don’t have to fall! You can change course and change the outcome. To keep a fall from happening, it is vital that you learn the steps that lead to a fall.

In next week’s article, we will begin identifying the steps that lead to a fall from grace. By learning them, travelers on the road to Life can protect themselves and the people they love and influence from harm.