The Haunting Narrow Gate

There is a verse that haunts me every now and then. The words sometimes ring in my ears and keep me awake at night. I don't understand--it just seems so unlike the nice Sunday school Jesus I knew.

"...For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14).

I mean, I thought that God “was not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The two just do not add up in my mind. But the more days that go by, the more I see that the road truly is narrow. But I find that so incredibly unfair. Does that mean that only the spiritually elite will ever make it to God? I sure hope not or I would be counted out.

So, tonight as I once again observed the narrowness of the road, as I watched a world around me bowing to other gods, as I examined my own life and found myself longing for the wide, easy road, I heard God whisper to me ever so gently, “Janice, the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” And while so many times before the verse disturbed me and stirred in me a fear of this incredible God I serve, tonight it brought comfort.

I don’t know exactly why it was any different this time because the same sense of confusion came, and I didn’t have any grand revelations. But something about following Jesus made sense. I have come to realize that God Almighty is the only god I can chase after that won’t destroy me in the process. The road might be difficult. It may be lonely. But I know the prize awaiting me. I know there is no dead end. I know God does not disappoint. Nothing of great value ever came without a cost. Besides, if I lose my life surely I will find it.

I’ve tasted of worldly pleasures. And they are so good. But sometimes I believe the lie that they are best. I’ve tasted and seen the Lord is good. And O that I would remember that when my flesh longs for smaller gods!

I will walk path. I’ll run the race. And I will never be the same again....

Good News

I get the Washington Post everyday, and most days I do actually read a few articles that interest me. Lately, I have just skimmed over the headlines because the news seems to be the same every time--there is disaster in New Orleans, Bush's ratings drop to a new low, controversy over Roberts, people dying in Iraq, innocent children being harmed in some sick way, and the list goes on....And with all that it's easy to get discouraged. I'm convinced the world is longing to hear some good news. We are finally beginning to realize that worldly pursuits are vain dead-end streets paved with fool's gold. We have trod those streets for far too long and are thirsty for something real. We need Jesus. I need Jesus. And I need Him desperately. Because He is the Good News. He is the life in a dying world. He is the One who offers beauty for ashes and strength for fear, gladness for mourning and peace for despair! He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He is the greatest of tastes, the richest of fares! He is my treasure. And in HIM, I find life, breath, and ALL that I am. So, be encouraged today that there is Good News....and be bold in proclaiming that. We've got to get the word out.