December 10

The Broad And The Narrow Way

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matt 7:13-14 BSB

At the beginning of life, each soul stands before two paths. In all of us, the love of life is strong, and there is a natural desire to get as much as possible out of the years we are given. Amiel expressed this strong passion for life when he said, “A passionate wish to live, to feel, to express, stirred the depth of my heart. I was overpowered by a host of aspirations. In such a mood, one would fain devour the whole world, experience everything, see everything, learn everything, tame everything, and conquer everything.”

In our early years, we awaken to the powerful urges of natural impulses, and it’s tempting to argue, "If God has given me these strong desires, why shouldn’t I fulfill them?" Why not let these desires carry us wherever they may? But doing so means entering through the wide gate and following the broad road. This is the path of the majority—the way of the world. No one who chooses this route, allowing their course to be dictated by natural impulses, need fear being thought strange or eccentric.

In the beginning, the broad way is generally easy and even enjoyable. The boat launched on a flowing stream sweeps along merrily; the road’s gradient slopes gently, making the journey pleasant; the sun shines, and the path is lined with bright flowers. But a life of self-indulgence has only one end—destruction.

There is a better way, but it is too narrow for the trailing garments of passionate desire, too narrow for pride, greed, and self-indulgence. It is the Way of the Cross, but it leads to life. The remarkable truth is that those who expect to get the most out of life through self-indulgence end up losing everything, while those who seem to limit themselves by following Christ gain it all. “Few find and enter this path,” laments our Lord. Let us put our hand in His, that He may lead us along the path of life, “which shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

Prayer

Dear Lord, as Enoch walked with You of old, so may we walk each day, choosing the narrow path. Guide our steps in Your way, and graciously walk with us. Amen.