The road is narrow, really narrow. Driving in a foreign country on the wrong side of the road from the wrong side of the car was harrowing for this passenger. Most of the roads were lined with stone walls, no shoulders and not wide enough for two cars.
As my husband was trying to master this new experience, I sat in the passenger seat flinching and occasionally gasping every time a car narrowly missed us or the stone wall was mere inches from my side of the car. Needless to say, my reactions were not building hubby’s confidence and occasionally may have been a distraction. Finally he said, “You have to stop doing that.” To which I responded, “I’m trying.”
In faith, I try to stay focused on God remembering that the road is narrow. Yet, sometimes, I find myself flinching and gasping. I prefer the easy way, and nothing right now is easy. The magic formula of hard work, going to church, and helping others is not working. The world leaves me gasping, taking deep breaths and working hard to stay focused on God.
12 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. 13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. (Matthew 7: 12-14 MSG).
It is hard not to follow the crowd. It is tempting practice faith in God part-time when it’s convenient. Choosing the narrow way requires that I continually reset my bearings and make sure I’m on the right side of the road. The road is narrow.
Do you have a convenient faith? Are you on the narrow road? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.