During my days as a counselor at Camp Ozark, I developed a deep love for riddles. They were a great way to engage the minds of young campers in the course of various camp activities. They were especially useful during the long, sometimes strenuous hikes campers undertook on short course weekend, which was an overnighter outside the camp boundaries.

            One of the best and most challenging of all the riddles... the one I would hold back until my fellow hikers were sufficiently warmed up and in need of a mental challenge to take their minds off how tried and weary they were becoming was the "Riddle of the Crossroads."

            In the riddle a traveler comes upon a crossroads where the single path divides, with one branch leading to eternal destruction and the other leading to eternal life. At the crossroads live two brothers who are identical in every way... except for the fact that one always lies and the other always tells the truth. The crux of the riddle is for the traveler to determine which the path leads to LIFE!

            In the Book of Ephesians, Paul speaks of two paths as well, and they each lead in very different directions. One path is characterized by the enticement and deception of worldly desires. It is full of twists and turns caused by the lies of the Evil One who desires to distort anything true and beautiful. All travel this road at some point, and this path leads to eternal destruction.

            But there is a second path. This way is not characterized by lies, disobedience and wrath but by truth, faith and good works. No man naturally chooses this path. But through the grace and mercy of God, and because of His great love for us He makes us alive and places us on the right road.

            This path leads not through a crossroads, but through the Cross... and Paul is a faithful guide who always tells the truth and will surely point us down the path to life. We must learn to trust him.

            This semester we'll take a look at the deep truths Paul lays out in Ephesians. And as we do we should keep in mind that Ephesians was originally a letter from Paul to the people of God. It was not a riddle to be deciphered only by the intellectual elite or the super spiritual. From the beginning the deep truths that Paul records were meant for everyone. So please come join us as we seek to discern the path of life and walk it in a worthy manner.

**(For any who would like to test your "riddle-me-this" skills, you'll find the Riddle of the Crossroads and its solution here or on tabs to your right. Good luck!)**