The Way is Narrow

“The way is narrow…”

The broad and narrow way – Sunday School phrases, right? If you grew up in the church like me, perhaps what comes to mind at those words is Jesus’ exclusivity – that He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, that no one comes to the Father except through Him. That is how I have always understood that little tiny description of the Christian life – narrow because its only through Jesus that you are saved and given eternal life.

But today, God expanded my perception. For, the truth of God is like a diamond—with many, many angles, all part of the same rock of jewel.

The way is narrow…

It came to mind today as I was driving away from church this morning, reflecting on the current “heart issue” God’s digging into right now—the issue of insecurity. As of late, He has been pointing out all the different ways I seek to fill this vulnerable hole in my heart. I seek to soothe and bandage my wounds of insecurity with impressing others, having an image and reputation of “perfection” in my community; when that fails, I look to my accomplishments as a source of self-worth; when my accomplishments dwindle, I turn to my ability to encourage others; or solve their problems; the list goes on. And that’s just for me—the world has innumerous other options available to me, should I choose to enlist in them.

The way is narrow.

There is but one solution to my insecurity. As evasive as it can feel sometimes, Jesus IS the answer! He is the only solution. All the others are empty, frivolous chasings after the wind…once you find it, you lose it. You can never hold onto it. Their soothing effect never lasts. For that is the nature of sin; it offers what it cannot fulfill.

But Jesus? He never leaves me; even when I’ve walked away from Him, once I turn around, I see He’s been with me all along – He never left my side.

So why does this feel so elusive? It is because we are called to seek Him. It is a pursuit. Just as it would be for any other solution. The world’s solutions are evasive, therefore we pursue. Jesus is not evasive…but we are that much farther from Him, that it takes us time – sometimes a long time – to finally find Him. But once we do, we discover that His effect really is permanent. His solution is real.

The way is narrow because the way involves a persistence pursuit of Christ. It is like an exclusive medical school that weeds out the weak ones through a difficult test (among other things). Or the Olympics, to put it on a grander scale. It is those who persist, who endure the difficulties of training oneself, those who pass test after test after test of proving their abilities. Those are the ones rewarded with the honor of participating in a worldwide competition. So too, God uses difficulties in our life to grow us, develop our endurance and perseverance. And in those times, we slowly start to learn that He really is the only answer. But. The way is narrow. Because not too many people persist. Not too many fight through the thousands of alternatives bombarding them every day—alternatives to the solutions found in Christ. He is the solution to all of life’s problems. Yet so often we cop out, and opt for a lesser solution offered to us by the world.

The way is narrow because our lives are so filled with sin, and cluttered with worldly idols—worldly deliverances, albeit temporary, from our ever-persisting needy lives. The way is narrow because there are so many opportunities to get it wrong. One slip, and you're sliding down the slope of sin, of idolatry—turning to something, or someone other than Jesus, for help in your time of need.

Praise God for His never-failing, all-sufficient gift we have in Christ—His patient love that endures our constant stumbling; for His faithful love that persists even past our own unfaithfulness. Praise God that it is not us who determines our salvation; that it is Him who holds us and keeps us, and never lets us go. Praise Him, Our Keeper and Sustainer, Redeemer and Savior, whose love endures forever.

Jesus truly is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. Not just in the future--after we live out our lives on earth; but now, for every area needing deliverance. He is the way now. We just have to pursue Him.

Fear this truth--for not everyone will persist; not everyone will make it to the end. Only those of whom God has placed His seal of redemption. Praise God for His indescribable gift.