The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:14, NLT).
Each of us has a narrow path that’s difficult.
This path requires a “narrow path lifestyle” or life choices and developed disciplines that enable you to stay on “your” narrow path.
Why do I say “my” narrow path? Because each follower of Jesus has a differing mix of spiritual gifts, calling for obedience, and disciplines that define our unique path. We need to become obsessive about our path.
Jesus says in Matthew 7:14 that this road is difficult, and few find it. Let’s discuss this . . .
Few Find It
Working alongside believers as a pastor for many years, I’ve noticed that a sizable percentage of them can’t specifically say, “I know my spiritual gifts, my calling, and the ministry where God wants me to serve.”
The Road Is Difficult
Yes, it’s hard, but that’s what makes it fun.
When we accomplish a difficult task, we celebrate and consider the effort to reach our goal worth it. We celebrate winning games, graduations, anniversaries, financial achievements, and children growing in Christ.
Difficult but worth it.
Below are three suggestions for finding and staying on our narrow path.
First: As suggested in the title of this Interruption, it’s a lifestyle.
There is an urban legend that says, “To become an expert, you have to do something 10,000 times.” The “10,000” can’t be proven, but recent studies of brain activity show that our brains lay “narrow paths” based upon our repetitive behavior.
Jesus — who created the brain — knew brain science when He told us about our narrow path.
Second: Pay the price.
We all have negative narrow paths burned into our brains.
Our calling will mean “repentance” or changing our mind. To write this blog, I have to go to bed early and get up early. I call this my “early/early” narrow path.
When we discern our narrow path, we will be called to learn new things, change past behaviors, and develop skills we didn’t think possible.
If we say, “I can’t change, or I’m too old to learn,” we will get stuck on our narrow path.
Third: Be filled with the Spirit.
Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty (Acts 6:3, ESV).
If the Spirit gives us gifts, a calling, and a ministry – He doesn’t then abandon us.
Learning to be filled with the Spirit is a necessity. Walking in the Spirit is an art involving a new palette of disciplines, accountability, and rejuvenation from which we find renewed joy in serving God.
We have a narrow path. Let’s walk on it.
[Teaser: In January/February of 2024, I will teach a two-week class at the Discipling Another offices in Springfield, Ohio, on developing “My Narrow Path Lifestyle.” You can attend in person or by Zoom. Let me know if you are interested.]