“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14
This week, I attended a class on being productive and efficient at work. In one section of the workbook, I found that this quote stood out to me:
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers
Jesus used paths as a metaphor for how we are to live our lives. He spoke of a wide, easy road that leads to destruction, and he spoke of a narrow, more difficult road that leads to true life. Since God’s plan is for us to prosper, and not to be harmed (Jeremiah 29:11), He invites us to join Him on the narrow path.
But here’s the thing about roads: they’re useless if you’re not heading somewhere! Jesus asked us to follow Him. We can’t follow Him if we’re not moving forward. This means our feet will get tired. It means our shoes will get dirty.
It means our nipples might chafe.
This is not the easy route. Following Christ and obeying the Spirit takes willingness and effort on our part. This is not a glamorous, attractive, wide road. But it is the most rewarding path.
In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul spoke of the path of a Christian as an endurance race:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” – Hebrews 12:1
Having a cloud of witnesses isn’t so hard if you’re this guy.
Our spiritual path should be one of ongoing growth, as we allow God to chip away at our selfish nature, and shape us more and more into His image. Sometimes we will stumble. Sometimes we will have a hard time letting go of things that are weighing us down. Sometimes we will grow weary. But the testing of our faith is what produces perseverance (James 1:2-4), and the rewards are great for those who endure to the end.
Do I feel like i’m moving forward in my spiritual walk, or have I allowed myself to sit complacently in the middle of the road?
In what ways have I allowed personal comfort to take a higher priority than my spiritual development?
What things am I allowing to weigh me down that could be inhibiting my spiritual growth?
Is there sin, guilt, bitterness, or some other compromise I’ve allowed in my life?
