The narrow gate.....

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.” Matthew 7:13

We are expected to do many things in our lives. If we work, as most of us do, we are expected to show up at our jobs as scheduled, and to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. If we have families, we are expected to look after and care for the members. Responsibilities can often seem to tie us down and keep us from doing what we want to do. I know there are lots of days when I feel there is so much I could be doing if I didn't have to go to work.

God also has expectations for us. There is a certain way in which we, as Christians, are expected to act. That way often seems to us to be a very narrow path, with not much room to move from side to side. I'm sure you, like me, often resent and rebel against the path. Sometimes it is just easier to take a different wider path that doesn't seem so restrictive. But when we follow a wider path, we meet up with more distractions that keep us from focusing on our Christian mission. When we follow an easier path, we don't have to work as hard. By passing through the narrow gate, we stay on track with God's purpose for us. The right way is never easy, but it is guaranteed to be the most rewarding.