Living 4 Him

“There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death . . .  the narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life.” Matthew 7: 13-14(The VOICE)

The lesson quoted above is one I have thought about often over the years, especially when walking our dog, Diesel.  Diesel usually wanted to take the wide path, sniffing every tree, light pole, leaf, grass blade or person he could find.  Keeping him on the narrow path took strength and management.   

As Jesus teaches about taking a narrow path, he is telling us to not be distracted and drawn in by the world around us, but to take God’s road, which leads to a fulfilling life.  Jesus provided an excellent example of walking the narrow path; listening to God, loving others, living for holy purposes.

Our current time may seem turmoiled and too crowded to follow the narrow path.  Daily needs and responsibilities pull us in directions we never intended to go, driving us deeper into distraction.  However in depending on God and trusting his Spirit to guide, we can live undistracted.

I think back to Diesel again.  On a good day, he would walk beside me calmly, then notice a tree he wanted to investigate.  His eyes would gaze up to me with a “Mother, may I?” look. Diesel was demonstrating one of Jesus’ last commands to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “watch and pray.” (Matthew 26:41) Diesel stayed alert to what was around him, and he looked to his master for guidance, desiring to please.  

When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples in the garden, aware of the evil grip upon this world, he wanted them to be alert to circumstances around them, thinking about how these conditions could affect them, and to use prayer as a lifeline to hold in every situation. 

Charting our course on God’s narrow path requires watching and praying. 

As we watch the world, we often see just the surface, forgetting the spiritual implications that lie underneath.  God invites us to use spiritual eyes, viewing circumstances as important to our own spiritual well-being and the spiritual well-being of others.  Watching the course of our spirits makes us want to walk closer to God and to stay connected through prayer.

Prayer is a foundation for dwelling upon the earth. God’s concern meets our human needs but he will supply far beyond our surface needs, pulling us closer to his narrow path. (Ephesians 3:20)  On the narrow path, our prayers shift to God’s perspective.

We pray for more ways to show God’s love.

We pray for patience in our interactions with others.

We pray for help in understanding differing viewpoints.

We pray to enrich the world spiritually.

We pray to access God’s presence in our lives. 

I think back to Diesel again. As he grew older, he slowed down and began following us more often than trying to lead.  He was content to see what was in front of him, rather than always searching for something he might be missing out on.  Intentionally slowing down focuses our hearts and minds on what is truly important.  God helps us separate the junk from the jewels and our actions and decisions make a difference in the world.  

To stay upon the narrow way, turn to God . . . watch and pray!  

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Read through the scripture above (Matthew 7:13-14) and imagine God keeping you on the narrow path.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Connect yourself to God each morning with this reminder from Helen Steiner Rice.

I Meet God in the Morning

by Helen Steiner Rice

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof

It speaks of His greatness, it sings of His love,”

And each day at dawning I lift my heart high

And raise up my eyes to the infinite sky,

I watch the night vanish as a new day is born,

And hear the birds sing on the wings of the morn,

I see the dew glisten in a crystal-like splendor,

While God with a touch that is gentle and tender

Softly wraps up the night and tucks it away,

And hangs out the sun to herald a new day . . .

And so I give thanks and my heart kneels to pray,

“God keep me and guide me and go with me today.”