Daily Power #211

“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.” (Matt 7:13–14)

The first time I remember encountering today’s passage, I was leading a Bible study for a group of guys in my fraternity. You may recall that I started this group as a PR move to change our bad-boy reputation. You know, sort of the thought that if a fraternity is hosting a Bible study, they can’t be all bad. The only problem was that I was not yet a Christian!

So when I came to this statement by Jesus, I hit a major wall. What in the world did he mean? It sure sounded like he was saying that the majority of people will go with the flow and take the route everyone else is taking, even though it leads to destruction. However, his followers aren’t like everybody else. They will take a more challenging passage through the narrow gate. And waiting for them on the other side is new life.

Jesus’ words shook me up, planting seeds that later led to my getting on my knees on a campus softball field and inviting him into my heart as the Lord of my life. But I’ve never forgotten the wonder, fear, and longing I felt when I first considered what it means to follow Christ and enter through the narrow gate.

What direction are you traveling right now? Are you on the twelve-lane interstate to destruction? Or on the narrow path toward God?

Power Lift

I’m committed to following you, Lord, even when I don’t always understand where you’re taking me or how I’ll get there. Today I want to follow you through that narrow gate that leads to new life.