Three deacons spent the afternoon with their pastor in a boat. “Well, I guess I will be going now,” said one of the deacons.

He got out of the boat and walked across the water to the shore.

The second deacon said, “I’ve got to go too.” He stepped out of the boat and walked across the water to the shore.

The third deacon did likewise. The pastor was amazed. He thought to himself, “If they’re able to walk on water, so am I. Afterall, I am the pastor.”

The pastor swung his legs over the side of the boat, put his feet on water, pushed himself up, and immediately sunk.

The deacons looked back as he was going under. One said to the others, “If I had known he wanted to walk back, I would have shown him where the rocks are.”

The pastor in our story made the same mistake many of us make. He simply followed the crowd. There are times in our life when it is easier to follow the crowd and do something we know is wrong, than it is to stand alone and do the right thing. However, we need to realize there are consequences to our choices. Before we follow the crowd, it would be wise to find out where they are going.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: