The Straight Path

    Once a father took his three sons on a winter hike.  They came to a field glistening white from a snowfall the night before.  The father, wanting to challenge his youngsters and perhaps teach them a lesson suggested a contest: Which one could walk the straightest path across the field.
    The first trudged across the field keeping his eyes down to watch each step, trying to put one foot in front of the other.  When he reached the other side, he looked back, and to his surprise the tracks were curved like the letter “S.”
    The second lad started, taking a few steps then looking back to see if his path appeared straight.  About every ten to fifteen steps the process was repeated.  When he finished he eagerly surveyed the entirety of his course, but discovered it wasn’t really straight at all - it was in segments, veering to the right, and then to the left.
    The third, seeing the other two had failed, employed a different strategy.  He looked directly at his father who stood on the opposite side of the field.  He walked toward his father, never taking his eyes off of him.  Having completed the trek, his path was the straightest of the three by far.
    The wise father then taught the boys, saying, “Sons, there is just ONE path in life that is straight and true, and that is the way of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  As you go through life, keep your eyes on Him, “looking unto Him” (Heb. 12:2), and your course will always be right!  Remember, He is the Way.  Trust Him and do what His Word teaches and you will never go wrong.”

- Selected; via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg church of Christ in Harrisburg, IL.  You may visit their website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org