Your children are losing weight. Your spouse is getting weak and sickly. You are in a miserable job. You are feeling trapped. You are thinking, “Oh, what am I to do?” A friend tells you about a scheme to enter a nearby country illegally.
There you can get work that pays high wages, and then you can send some home to your family. You think, “What have I got to lose?” Sure, you will miss your spouse and children. Sure, it’s illegal. But you are desperate, feeling trapped! “It’s the only way!”
Human smugglers will drop you off, for $1,500. A transport van will pick you up. When you get on the van there are already twenty-nine others on it! All illegal entries.
Your van driver looks too young to drive. He is; but there’s no turning back. Then, “two miles south of the… (Texas) Border Patrol checkpoint” your inexperienced, non-licensed driver “was speeding as (he) tried to veer off the highway onto” another road.
The van is demolished. Sadly, ten illegals lost their lives.The remaining “twenty who survived the initial crash all have serious to critical injuries.” (The Oklahoman, Friday, August 6, 2021)
They were all filled with hope. Now, they are all either dead or lying in a hospital bed. None arrived! What will their children, parents, and spouses think of this foolish idea? Breaking the rules can have disastrous results. They are all feeling trapped now!
Jesus warned His listeners that breaking the rules precedes disaster. He said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Many people think they can enter heaven because they’re “good enough,” or “I haven’t murdered anyone,” or “It doesn’t really matter what you believe; God loves all people.” Is that what Jesus would say to you?
If you are feeling trapped and haven’t yet become a child of God, then think about what Jesus says. He also said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” ( John 14:6). He died for your sins, so He makes the rules for going to heaven.
Are you still feeling trapped? Turn to Jesus today! Jesus loves you and cares about your life: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28)