BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY:
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
THOUGHT: When I was in high school, my social studies teacher had a poster on her wall that said, "Just because everyone does it, doesn't make it right." I'm sure many of our parents used to tell us that too, encouraging us to think for ourselves, and not to submit to the 'popular' fads and the mass-minded thinking that is so contagious and so easily swayed about by fear or by laziness.
This seems to be Jesus' version of the same sentiment-- he tells his listeners to 'enter through the narrow gate.' Do the harder thing. Take the unbeaten path. Don't let other peoples' fears drive your own fears. Do the less-popular thing. Go against the grain and do the right thing. In other words, beware the way of life that seems popular and common-- it may not be taking you to life but to 'destruction.'
The contrast of 'life' and 'destruction' is a really important part of what Jesus is trying to convey. For Jesus, life and death are really important spiritual forces (not so much events or characteristics of a human being). Life is the root of hope, and joy, love, peace, renewal, restoration, reconciliation, relationship, truth all things good. But death and destruction-- these forces encourage greed, abuse, hurt, despair, violence, loneliness, lies, etc.
Can you think of a situation in your life that seemed ruled by these forces of death and destruction before the situation was turned around by a force of life? Who brought the life into the room? Was it you, another person, a random coincidence or act of God? A prayer?
CHALLENGE: Each day we face life and death before us, and often we have the choice to do the easy thing (take the 'broad' road), and let a destructive force rule, or to do the hard thing, and bring life into a situation (enter through the narrow gate)... as you interact with others today and tomorrow, be aware of the forces of life or death in your conversations, and actively attempt to be a force of life. Ask God to help you distinguish these forces. Maybe you are talking to a friend who is believing a lie (about herself, or about life), and it would be easy to commiserate with her and let her sink into a small depression; but what if instead you did the hard thing and boldly encouraged her with the truth? Maybe you are in a situation where you could choose to respond with anger-- the root of violence-- and feel justified by it, but instead you choose to ask God for grace to give? Maybe you are part of a team of people trying to do good that has been frustrated and everyone has started to give up hope-- will you be courageous enough to keep hoping even when it feels foolish and lonesome? This week, try walking on the narrow road, and let God hold your hand to help you take each step forward, one at a time.
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