By Dr. John E. Morgan

Pastor–Collinsville Baptist Church

It was our first time ever in New York City.  Seven of us were on our way to Massachusetts during spring break to see the place our youth would be doing mission work in the summer.  We were having lots of fun on the way and visiting potential colleges for the youth with us.

We found ourselves eating supper in New Jersey just across the river from New York.  We were scheduled to be at the mission trip site about midnight to eat breakfast the next morning with the local team.

As we ate, we talked about New York City.  Wouldn’t it be fun to visit?  Yes, but we had four hours to where we were staying that night.  And finally, somebody said, “Let’s go. Just to look around a little.”  The other adult called and told our contacts we were not sure when we would be there.

There was a great sense of adventure among us.  We were going to New York City.  Just like in the movies and on TV.  This would be great.  We would be modern day explorers.

We had a Rand McNally Atlas with a small map of the City.  My son John was selected as navigator.  We started driving.  Lots of excitement and giggles.  We were going to New York City.

We decided to drive under the Hudson River through the Holland Tunnel.  It was about nine at night by now.  And the traffic was horrendous getting into the tunnel.  Several roads coming together and filtering into about four lanes going under the river.  We waved at people waiting in the traffic.  Mostly they ignored us in disgust.  They could read Alabama on the side of the van.  And the word Church.  They pegged us for hick tourists.  They were right.  We waved all the harder.

Finally our lanes went into the tunnel.  Past the merging lanes, the traffic sped up nicely.  We all looked out our windows at the roof.  Was there really a river above that roof?  Is that water on the roof a leak?  Will we all die?

The traffic moved down the incline and then started back up toward the tunnel exit.  We breathed a sigh of relief and got ready.  We were about to be in New York City.  How great was that?

In front of me I could see a sign hanging from the ceiling of the tunnel.  It showed the road splitting into two.  An arrow pointed left for Uptown.  Another pointed right for Downtown.  We were moving at about fifty.  I knew I had a matter of seconds.

“John, which way?”  From my son, “What”.  I was screaming now.  A decision flying at the church van.  “Look at the map.  Which way?”  John answered, “Where do you want to go?”  My answer, “I don’t know”.  John’s reply, “Then it doesn’t matter which way.”  And we went right and downtown.

We had a wonderful time.  Downtown to the battery and Chinatown then back up the island to Times Square and the theatres and stores.  The only time we got out?  In Central Park after midnight.  I pulled over to the side of the road, we jumped out and took a picture to prove we were in Central Park after dark and survived.  Then on up the island, through Harlem, across to Queens and finally back out to the interstate as we went into Connecticut.

We did indeed get to our place about seven in the morning.  We were exhausted all day.  And never regretted losing a night’s sleep to go to New York City.

Later I thought about how smart my son John was.  If you don’t know where you want to go, then it does not matter what road you take.

Jesus once said something like this – there’s lots of easy roads out there.  It doesn’t matter which one you take.  They all end in the same place.  Destruction.

Of course, he went on, there is another road.  You could follow me.  Narrow road, hard traveling.  One destination.  Life.

Should be an easy choice – destruction or life.  If you struggle with knowing where you want to go, maybe it’s time you tried following Jesus.

Try Matthew 7:13-14 to read exactly what Jesus said.