Narrow

Last month I breathlessly rounded the corner after walking an uphill slog. Gazing ahead, I stopped short and snapped this photograph as Matthew 7:13-14 flooded my mind:

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

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There are six weeks left in the year.

I recently carved some time to be still and reflect on the work God has done in my heart over the past twelve months.

How have I obeyed him? How have I honored him? How have I sinned? Have I grieved the Holy Spirit? What dry and dusty crevices of my heart must I repent from and ask the Lord to sweep clean? Am I maturing in faith? Am I purposing to grow in holiness? Am I fully yielded to Christ?

Many people ask God to give them a specific theme word for each New Year. Fewer, it seems, drop to their knees in confession and repentance, arms flung wide, willing to joyfully embrace whatever cup of suffering God is extending.

May today be a fresh start, an opportunity to turn fully to Jesus (John 6:37). As I slow down and examine the messy, tangled underside of life’s fabric, I am also pressing into the promises of God (Psalm 32:1 John 14:3 Matthew 28:20).

Such truths are beautiful stitches adorning the right side of our fabric. With each passing year, I see more clearly that suffering is actually God’s favor–a gift meant to prune and refine. Suffering is his finest chisel born from saving love, a painful instrument he wields judiciously.

I have experienced God’s chisel time and again in a year that has been stuffed with quiet heartaches; corrupt schemes that Satan intended for evil. These hardships are largely invisible to the world. Such burdens have proven perplexing and difficult to navigate due to their clandestine nature. Upon reflection, one thing is evident: I have far to go in learning to respond with joy.

This last year has felt crushing for another reason, as I watched professing Christians abandoning the bedrock of Scripture. Their lust for power, hunger for control, and untamed selfishness exposed wide-path living. Such imposters wear the mask and cape of Christianity and prey upon the undiscerning.

If this is you, and a cape remains draped upon your shoulders as you pile your Babel bricks, remember that God is El Roi for a reason: he is the God who sees. Not one of us may ever fool him. Repent while you may.

God has also granted me many undeserved blessings over the last twelve months, such as the gift of deepening friendships and the steadfast love of family. But the greatest kindness from the Lord this year?

My increasing thirst for Him.

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The narrow gate is Christ, who leads his sheep into eternity with our Heavenly Father (Revelation 21:27). This path toward holiness is an arduous, uphill climb, a lifelong pursuit of holiness as the world waltzes by on the wide, easy road, sashaying its way to destruction.

May I encourage you with one way to incline your heart to God?

This Sunday, as your pastor exposits the Scriptures, choose to lean in, take notes, and mentally scratch a chalky circle around your own two feet. Resist the urge to elbow the person next to you, or to forward the sermon’s audio version to that specific someone who definitely needs to straighten up. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit to convict the bones standing within the circle (Psalm 51:4). Turn to him in full and genuine repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Then deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him (Luke 9:23).

This is Narrow Gate Living.

Such steps are rare, humbling, and pleasing to our King (James 4:10). Humility is powerful because it is a shadow of our Savior who stooped low, dropping from heaven to die for us, God’s beloved. He lavishes grace on the humble of heart who continue to repent.

Isn’t this magnificent? Christ lives to intercede on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). There is nothing more comforting than this wonder.

He is able to save to the uttermost, and he does.

Seek him now. Love him most. Walk the ancient, narrow path traveled by few.

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