Do you remember the scene in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug when the dwarves are about to enter Mirkwood? Mirkwood is full of dangers, distractions, and deceptions that will try to confuse them and get them off-track, lost. And so b efore Gandalf leaves to attend matters elsewhere, he instructs them about how to get through the evil forest successfully. He tells them what they need to know about the dangers they'll face and the path they should take, and then he warns them, "Stay on the path." But while in the forest, it's up to them to do it, to be on-guard and wise, to remember and follow what Gandalf said instead of trusting themselves. Well, life is our Mirkwood, full of spiritual dangers, distractions, and deceptions that try to get us off-track in life, away from God's best. But God has created a way through, a path that He wants us to walk for the best life (and eternity) possible. But w here is ...
