January 20

The Narrow Gate

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  ––Matthew 7:13-14

When you take the narrow gate of obedience—even when it pinches and its tight and things are difficult—God will bless you in unexpected and amazing ways.

You may read that and say, “Cool, Kenny! So what’s behind Door #2? What prizes do I get?” So here’s the hard part, but without it, there’s no payoff: You may remain poor and financially destitute, and you may die materially poor. There are no promises of economic prosperity in the Bible—there are no guarantees that if you follow ‘God Formula #1” you will reap economic reward.

In fact, by taking the narrow gate you may suffer in this life. Correction: You will suffer. Also, you may not see the fruits of your loyalty and obedience to the things God is directing you to do. Sometimes, the seeds of renewal and righteousness sewn into the life of a faithful follower of God germinate in future generations—either your biological offspring, or your spiritual ones. You will, however, be blessed beyond any level you could possibly imagine, and way beyond what you could achieve by choosing the wider path.

Here’s the better news: God has incredible things in store for you if you make the hard choice to obey His voice and follow Him relentlessly. To not compromise; not cut corners. To not do the things that the majority tell you are okay to do. To not pursue the dreams that the culture tells you are most important to pursue.

No, instead He calls you to a death of wanting and striving and scheming. A death to your own dreams so that He can plant and germinate a better seed within you. A better dream and, yes, a better destiny. A seed born out of His eternal Spirit. A seed and plan and destiny that is conceived, cultivated, and activated entirely by Him—without a whiff or hint of this world upon it.

Father, You know my heart—that sometimes I struggle and feel afraid to follow the narrow path. Create in me a clean heart, oh Lord, and help me surrender my will to Your will.