Forks in the Road

L[19] "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. [20] At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores [21] and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
[22] "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
[25] "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
[27] "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, [28] for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
[29] "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
[30] " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
[31] "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "
Luke 16:19-31

"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:39

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38

I used to be afraid of dying. I wondered how I would die, what would be the cause of my death? I have been involved in discussions about the times we live in, where more Christians are being matyred today than in previous centuries, and the question arises as to whether or not we would be able to stand in that defining moment where we might be given the choice : Renounce and deny Jesus and live, or stand firm and die. But the reality is that the exact opposite is true! I am reminded of Cassie Bernal, who was martyred at Columbine High School...this teenager who stood steadfast in that valley of decision... although she was killed, is spending eternity with Jesus. She did not back down.
Everyday each of us is presented with choices...moments where there are "forks in the road" where we have to decide how to respond- to be imitators of Jesus, walking in love, truth, purity of heart -laying our lives down, in a sense, & picking up our own cross, or deny Him, out of fear of retribution, being unpopular, uncool, politically incorrect ...
Build what will last for eternity, lay up treasure in heaven, let that still small voice direct you when you stand at the fork, take the narrow path... Most of the things that we expend our time and energy on here will be gone in a short time. When we persevere we win the Race, and stand before the Lord on that Day, and the books are opened and the records are reviewed, we will hear those words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."