Enter!

Enter!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it. MATTHEW 7:13‭-‬14 AMP

There are clear messages in today's extract. Life is about choices and because God never leaves his children without guidance, the right choice is emphasized. God tells us what is ahead, and it is clear from today's extract that there is nothing like the 'sitting on the fence' option. You are committed one way or the other to one choice. Both choices lead to a final destination; an eternal conclusion.

The gate or pathway to destruction has been described, and it looks nothing like its advised end. There are really no restrictive rules for travelling on that path. It is wide enough to take all sorts of characters; it is wide enough for friends and companions to find common ground as they walk along. If you are on 'Easy Street', you find people like you who love what you do, and want to be associated with you. It is a popular and well-traveled route.

The other road is everything the other one isn't. Its paths are small and inconvenient; it does not leave room for popular movement or mob mentality. There is nothing like 'our walk with God'. It is first an individual and 'lonely' walk; though you will meet other  along that path whose life story will encourage you to press on. It is about my decision to walk with God, and everyone else connected with me would have to walk their own separate paths on that same road. Here, you have to search for it like hidden treasure and hold it precious when you find it.

The popular road is a tourist destination; there is not much work to be done to find it: you just enter into it. The hard path must be sought for diligently, and when found, all other considerations become less important. And a final warning: don't think that because you are on a particular path, that is where you will end up. Just as God gives the option of repentance to those on the wide path, so does He give grace and strength to those on the narrow path.

If I take the option available to me, no matter what path I am on now, I will end up. If I take any of the offers for granted, I cannot turn around to blame God for how I end. His offer is still open, as long as you are alive. The next second after reading this may be too late. His time of favour is here.