The picture below is from a part of the PATH near my house that I pass by frequently. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had signs and guard rails like this in every area of our life? Today we’ll talk about the narrow road that Jesus wants us to follow in life and how we can install some signs & guardrails like the ones in this picture.
Matthew 7:13-14 says “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life….”.
In speaking these words, Jesus is encouraging us to follow Him and His commands. And, as we’ve discussed many times, at the very root of all of His teachings is the idea that we are always supposed to Love God and Love people.
There is nothing complicated about the narrow road. It is extremely simple and does not require a lot of advanced thinking to understand. For example, here are a few things we can do to stay on the narrow road: be nice, eat & drink in moderation, be patient and kind, be happy with what you have and thankful for it, don’t brag (not even humble-bragging), don’t be rude or self-serving, be quick to forgive others and yourself.
Although none of these concepts are complicated, every one of us strays from the path from time to time and all of us can benefit from guardrails and signs that remind us to stay on the narrow road. So here are a few simple ideas that may help:
- Study the narrow road – Read the Bible and other wisdom literature daily. Listen to wisdom-oriented podcasts. Attend church, Bible studies, and small groups.
- Plan in advance for stormy waters – If you know you are going into a situation that will challenge your ability to stay on the narrow road, think about it in advance and have a plan.
- Develop a recovery protocol – When you stray from the narrow path, have a pre-determined plan to get back on track as quickly as possible.
- Accountability – Seek out an accountability partner in whom you can confide and be real. Sharing your struggles with another person is a very effective way of expediting the process of getting back on track.
The Advent season is a great time of year to reflect on narrowing your path in the coming year. Your efforts to move your guardrails in a little (or a lot) will bless not just you but your family and everyone around you. Here are a few questions for discussion:
- Jesus says that the “wide gate and broad road leads to destruction”. What do you think He means by “destruction”?
- Do you have any examples of narrowing your path and installing guardrails in your life that had positive results?
- If there is truly nothing complicated about the “narrow road” why is it so difficult to stay on it?
- What is one area of your life where you would like to install guardrails and narrow your road in the coming year?
- For you personally, what strategy do you think would be most effective to help you stay on the narrow path in the coming year? It could be one of the four ideas listed above or something else.
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