“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14
At a crossroads, I look to my left and see a wide path – well paved, well travelled and open. On the path are people laughing, dancing and having a good time. To my right is a narrow path, a path where there is silence, appears to be rocky and brush overhangs. I must make a decision – my mind says, “That’s easy. Go where the people look happy and the way is clear.” I hear a whisper, “Not that way.” Heeding the voice, I choose the narrow path.
As I get to the point of no return, I see the path isn’t a path at all, but a golden tightrope and I’m afraid. The whisper urges me on, assuring me this is the way to go. I take my first step, the rope wobbles and I tremble. I look to the other path, and what I see is terrifying. Not too far away from the entrance, past the seemingly happy people is impenetrable darkness.
For I am the Lord, you God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you
Isaiah 41:13
My eyes well with tears and my heart fills with fear. I hear, “Look up,” and I see a hand reaching down from heaven to take mine. As I grasp it tightly with both hands, I feel myself being pulled forward along the tightrope. I look ahead and see the brightest light, and am met with overwhelming joy and peace.
Feeling confident, I hold the hand from heaven with just my right hand and begin to walk slowly, but steadily. Something below the tightrope catches my eye and I avert my gaze; I wobble, but the hand from heaven tightens its grip and keeps me upright. The whisper says, “That’s not for you.” I understand and I continue on.
Again, I am distracted by something below and I stop to get a better look, even daring to let go of the hand from heaven to reach for what I see and I begin to fall off the golden tightrope.
In my distress, I called to the Lord;
I called to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
Psalm 18:6
Screaming for help, I am caught from a terrifying free-fall and placed back on the tightrope. I look up and the hand is there, waiting for me to take it again. I do, and I begin to walk again.
“…The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Life as a Christ-follower is not easy. God expects so much from us, sometimes things that are contrary to our desires. He expects us to live transformed lives, not conforming to the pattern of this world. And that’s hard.
There’s a warring in our souls – when we want to be angry, He calls us to forgive. When we want revenge, He calls us to feed, clothe and bless our enemies, the same ones who persecute us.
How can we live in this way, with this constant inner turmoil?
“This is the word of the Lord… ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Zechariah 4:6
Call out to God in those moments when the battle is too long and the enemy too strong and He will strengthen you. He will lift you up. He will quiet you with his love. He will sing sweet songs to you, His beloved.
Seeking Joy 