"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and it's gate wide for the many who chose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
The truth is, the crowd will pick us up and carry us along the wide path unless we resist. We must come apart from the crowd as Jesus did. He withdrew and went on walks. He refocused Himself on His relationship with the Father in those set-apart moments. He realigned Himself with Kingdom purpose when He paused to get a breath of purer air.
This is the trouble with modern-day living. We move at such a pace that it’s tough to step aside and as a result, we are far more likely to come apart at the seams. My daily school schedule has little opportunity for potty breaks, let alone prayer breaks. I’m dealing with adolescents in an endless battle of wills and it’s tough to find time to stop and sharpen the saw.
Ironically, middle school has become the proving ground of my salvation. It is the brick and mortar building where Spirit clashes against flesh and the well-fed one wins. I’m not crazy about this unexpected stint in education and I’ll be grateful when it’s complete. In the meantime, I’m choosing the narrow path again and again.
"But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22 NLT)
Lord, please forgive us for our awful tendency to fall into the wrong crowd. Today, again, we pick the narrow path. Steady our souls as we take careful steps. We are following You all the way Home. Amen.