“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.”  Matthew 7:13-14

The above version of this message is English Standard Version but the following one is from The Message and I just like how deliberate the choice of words are.  “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”  Matthew 7:13-14.

Although I know these verses are talking about the Way to Salvation, I also believe that it is a great way to describe who God wants us to be and how He wants us to be.

People often take the easy route for anything they are doing, whether it be because they are lazy or because they are just too busy to commit the effort needed to complete the task we are given.

God has made it a point to gift people with different abilities. 

Why then do we sit on them as though they are no big deal or as if to say, “sorry God my life is just too busy for that at this moment.”  Do we then think that even that is not possible with God?  If you believe the Bible and believe He is capable of anything then why is it so hard to believe that God will help us with what He has given us.  He even tells us, “(God will) equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.”  Hebrews 13:21.

So yes, it may seem difficult because we are parents of kids, work a full-time job, already volunteer in the community or even feel not physically capable of doing it but He never told us doing His work would be easy.  He never promised a laid back lifestyle.  What He did say was for us to take up our crosses, carry other people’s burdens, care for the widows and orphans, love our neighbors and love Him.  My step-dad, who is 76 years old and sometimes walks with a cane, spends many hours each week doing major repairs to the church he is a member of and walks the grounds in ensure the safety of the members coming and going to their vehicles; God has equipped his physic to do as he is told.

We can all sit around and wait for someone else to take up the cross but all that will happen is an increase in suffering.  When you finally get to Heaven what will your answer be when God asks you why you didn’t take the hard road?  I was called a long time ago to take the narrow path to the even narrower gate (minister to youth, a group most people run from), it can be an extremely tough road at times but the spiritual rewards are beyond worth.  I can promise you, if He has put that gut wrenching feeling in your belly that you must walk down a monstrous path, it will be worth it.

Narrow was my gate, which gate are you about to enter?  Are you willing to enter into the gate He has placed in your path?  Listen to the gut!