“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easythat leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 (NRSV)
The worst part about walking across Niagara Falls on a suspended two-inch wire has nothing to do with the raging winds, nor the heavy mist slamming your face and impeding your vision or the wire swinging a foot side to side and bobbing up and down. The constant bombarding of the wind was tough enough, but the one thing Nik Wallenda did not expect was that there was “nowhere to focus” as he made his way across the 25-minute, 1500-foot walk at a height of 184 feet.
“I think that in our walk with Christ, there’s so many distractions in this world, trying to pull us left and right, trying to distract you… It’s about focusing on the other side—staying focused on our Lord.”
Nik Wallenda (famous Christian tight rope walking artist)
Focus is a learned and honed trait. Even the Apostle Peter in his early days on his own path as a disciple of Christ learned the lesson to never doubt and always focus on Jesus.
“So, Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”
Matthew 14:29-30 (NRSV)
I have always found the passage in Matthew 7 regarding the narrow gateway perplexing. It’s certainly not the scripture to share in a brochure titled; “Your New Life in Christ.” Life is already hard enough as a sinner, why would I want to enter a narrow gate to a path leading to a life of more hardship?
I thought this divine Jesus came down to take away the pain and the hurt. That is the Jesus I want! We know Jesus to be the consummate teacher and healer as people followed him from village to village all wanting to be healed or fed or shown miracles. Why make the path strewn with obstacles? Why not make the path flat and straight so all of us can follow the proverbial “yellow brick road” to finally meet the wizard? Sadly, not all will accept or bother to look for this narrower path for they fear of where it leads. Facing fear and truth might make them aware that their current path leads to nowhere. A path without focus is a life lost.
“Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them,‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.’”
Luke 13:23-24 (NRSV)
This path Jesus was speaking of is a narrow passage where we barely squeeze through. This path leads to a narrower winding road climbing high up steep mountains at a snail’s pace and often times descending at breakaway speeds causing us to mash on the brakes to slow down. Why does my life seem like I am just crawling along? Where are the guard rails as I hurl down this rugged path? Where is the next exit to the wider flatter path?
In Luke 9, Jesus gives us some insight into this narrow path he spoke about. He is sharing with us this very day that once you make that commitment to enter the narrow gate and follow Jesus you may not even have a place to call your own. He finishes the passage by sharing that we are to always look forward not backwards.
“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’”
“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’”
Luke 9: 57-62 (NRSV)
If you read carefully throughout the four gospels Jesus is calling us to “follow him” but be prepared for a path in life that calls for much sacrifice. Each person choosing a path of discipleship will face many challenges, especially those who have heard the call to serve as clergy. Although God has set them aside for the work of the cross, the challenges and burdens will be multiplied by the number in their flock. This “road less traveled” requires us to face challenges and consequences in our new life. Are we up for it? We know not what to expect but must learn to trust. Jesus lectured James and John after their mother asked for them to be seated on either side of Jesus in heaven’s throne.
“But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’”
Matthew 20:22 (NRSV)
The narrow path calls for living a life of holiness never promised to be simple and easy. The straighter and narrower the path, the greater the need for focus and nimbleness of a tight rope walking artist. By keeping our eyes on Jesus our focus gets sharper. Our faith, refined by fire and trial, creates this precious and genuine outlook that will see us through to the other side. In order to get there, we must always look ahead, without distraction, without looking side to side, and without looking back.
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
Proverbs 4:25-27 (NRSV)
The often-quoted poem called the “Road Not Taken” offers a perspective about the choices we make about which path to take. What is the difference your chosen path has made? Could it be the sacrifices, the struggles, the giving, the taking or perhaps the eternal peace of knowing where this path leads? Only you and your Savior know that.
“I shall be telling this with a sigh, somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost
This week we celebrated graduations of our young AUMCers as they start out on their own paths as young adults. Their family, church and teachers are among those that have helped to guide them to a lighted path. Now it is time for these graduates to make their own choices about which road to travel.
This past Sunday, we heard a message from a young spiritual leader of AUMC that was peppered with sage advice well beyond his years. He told us to be sure we help those wanting to set out on their spiritual path by first meeting their physical and safety needs. Each of us can relate to the lame man in the story from Acts 3. Who was that lame man? Is it you?
Hear the good news. Our reward for this less traveled narrow path is a rich life here on this earth where we can make a difference. In the end all that really counts is that God will know by saying to you, “job well done good and faithful servant, job well done.”
If you are at a crossroads in your life lean on these words of encouragement on which path to take. Jesus said He will guide you with each step, so stay focused on Him.
“Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
John 14:5-6 (NRSV)
Have you asked God to show you the way? Are you focused on your chosen path today? What is your next step on the Discipleship Pathway?
“Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You”
Revelation Song (3rd Day Band)
Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader