Narrow is the way

If only? Have we ever felt that way, when things didn’t turn out as we had hoped? When something happened to spoil our plans? So near but yet so far. Disappointment grows from many of these situations, followed by a feeling of failure? Do we long for things to be different?

But have we stopped to think about God and what could be His will in the midst of all our frustrations and failures? Do we know where are we heading? Or are we just drifting down the road of life without a plan? Do we feel ourselves being blown along by the wind of chance, towards a destination unknown? Do we find ourselves in a place which is not of our choosing, wondering if this is right and asking where God is?

Jesus was in torment in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He wasn’t thinking of His own well being. His life on earth was centred around His Father and the fulfilment of His mission. This was what He had to do, to fulfil the will of His Father, for the sake of the world.

What is our motivation? What drives us on? Where are we going? And do we actually want to go there? Are we content to let our life take its course and see where it leads and go with the flow? We may be in the driving seat, but who’s actually driving?

God does have a personal interest in the route we are taking. But the choice is ours. Basically, we can do whatever we like, but there will be consequences. Are we God conscious or self conscious? We have the opportunity to go with God’s will by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But we must “enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14).

There is only one way to fulfilment and happiness, leading to eternal life. ‘The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday’ (Proverbs 4:18). The alternative way, the way of the world, leads to death and destruction, littered with pain and confusion. ‘The way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble’ (Proverbs 4:19).

We must take a strong hold of the reins that control our life, setting our sights on Jesus, making positive and deliberate decisions. Otherwise, we are blown off course.

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

That’s the way it is, whether we like it or not. The choice is ours. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). It’s as simple as that.