“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
It is a natural tendency in human, that when we need to choose between 2 paths, we will choose the one that is easier to journey. When I was on an expedition trip through the jungle, as part of my training in the Boys’ Brigade, we were guided by army personnel. They were our trainers. We were supposed to cut through the jungle and follow the map to reach our destination. Soon after we started off, the task proved to be too daunting on a bunch of teenage boys. When we saw a ready, flat and broad path in our way, we were inclined to take it. Our trainer called out from behind, “Don’t choose the easy and broad path, it may lead you astray. Follow your map. Maps don’t lie!” It was a well leant lesson. We followed the map and chose the not so easy way and reached our destination the same day.
The Lord has laid before us 2 ways for us to choose in life: the way of the flesh or the way of the Spirit. The way of the flesh is easy to follow because it appeals to our flesh. It has a wide gate and a broad path. But it eventually leads to death, far away from the destiny and blessings that God has prepared for us. On the other hand, the way of the Spirit is not natural to us. It has a narrow gate and a narrow path. It requires us to make changes to our ways, adopt different attitudes and make difficult choices. It requires to agree with God and His words, giving permission to the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out. It often involves paying some price, involves repentance, giving up something, embracing the new. But it leads to life, fulfilment of God’s destiny for us and blessings for ourselves and our families.
Only the way of the Spirit leads to our destiny in Christ. When we walk in our destiny, those under our authority also walk in theirs. When the Church walks in her destiny, then, she can usher the nation to enter into hers.
The Narrow or Broad way? Choose wisely.
- Repent of the times when you may have deviated from God’s righteous way, thus causing you to miss God’s destiny at the time. Ask the Lord for restoration.
- Pray for those who may be walking astray from God’s way, to return to the Way that leads to life.