Lisa could hardly wait. It seemed like school would never end. The last day before summer vacation always seemed like such a long day, but at last it was over, and as she hurried home from school her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

Summer vacation always meant a trip to the cottage for Lisa and her family, and this year would be no exception. Mother had been working hard all week washing, ironing and packing for her large family, and tomorrow they would leave on the long drive to their cottage by the lake.

Lisa's daddy and mother loved the Lord Jesus, and they often told their children of the love of God in sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to shed His blood for their sins. They also frequently showed their love for the Lord Jesus by the kind things they did for others.

This year they had thoughtfully invited Aunt Ellen to go along with them to their cottage. Aunt Ellen had a married daughter who lived near their cottage, and they knew she would enjoy a visit with her daughter. So although Lisa's family was large, they decided they could make room for one more in their van.

Very early the next morning the van loaded with the family plus Aunt Ellen, started out on the long drive. At first everyone was excited, but as hour after hour went by, the children and their parents became drowsy in the warm van. It was then that Aunt Ellen saw a way she could be helpful.

"Let me drive for a while," she suggested, "while you get some sleep. Then when you've had a nap you can drive again."

They pulled the van over to the side of the road and changed drivers, and soon they were on their way again. Aunt Ellen was a good driver, so it wasn't long before Lisa's parents were sound asleep.

Aunt Ellen smiled as she drove along. She was looking forward to seeing her daughter and son-in-law, and she was thankful to have the chance to help out a bit by driving.

Suddenly she frowned. The road signs showed that she would have to make a decision in a mile or two as to which highway she should take, and she just wasn't sure which was the right road. She glanced at Lisa's parents; they were both sound asleep. She hated to waken them. So she chose what she thought was the right road, and kept on driving.

God tells us in His Word, the Bible, that "there is way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). He also tells us in John 14:6, "Jesus saith ... I am the way." The way to what? The way to heaven. Aunt Ellen needed to know the way to the cottage, but even more importantly, we need to know the way to heaven.

Aunt Ellen kept on driving, glancing anxiously at the highway signs and hoping they were on the right road. On and on she went.

Finally Lisa's daddy yawned, stretched and said, "Thanks, Ellen. That sleep felt good. Now I'm ready to drive again. By the way, just where are we?"

"I'm not sure," she replied. "I think we're on the right road, but I'm not positive."

A quick check of the road map showed that not only were they on the wrong road, but they had gone miles and miles in the wrong direction. Now they would have to spend more hours getting back to the right road, and it would be late evening before they would reach the cottage. Poor Aunt Ellen. She had tried to be helpful, but she had delayed everyone by taking the wrong road.

Boys and girls, are you sure you are on your way to heaven? Maybe you've been given the wrong directions. Have you been told to "Be good," or "Pray," or "Go to church" to get to heaven? Those roads will never lead you to heaven.

Perhaps you think you know the right way and are trying with no map and no guide to get to heaven on your own. If so, you will only end up like Lisa's family-- on the wrong road.

The Bible, God's Word, tells us there is only one way to heaven, and that is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He said "I am the way" (John 14:6), and His death on the cross and His blood shed there make the way to heaven open to all of us who will accept Him. Won't you accept Him today? Then you will know for sure that your sins are forgiven and that you are on your way to heaven.

Copied with permission from Messages of God's Love published by Bible Truth Publishers, Addison, IL  60101.

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