READ
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13–14, RSV2CE)
REFLECT
The narrow gate is Jesus and complete and utter abandoned surrender to His plan and power.
Jesus is the Lord. His way is the best way for you. He made you for a purpose. He wants to walk out that purpose with you all the way home. You are weak and the devil is relentlessly trying to kill, steal, and destroy you in your thoughts and actions. Only by the discernment of the Holy Spirit and the enabling power of grace can you hear and complete your purpose. It is a hard road of recollection and surrender to things you cannot understand because His ways are higher than ours. It will rub against your flesh and pride because it hurts to not be in control and misunderstood. But you can know that he is good and merciful and loving and wants the best for you, he is the perfect father. You will never be alone because he will never leave you.
The wide gate is anything other than complete and utter abandoned surrender to His plan and power. People want to tack Jesus into their life but He is to be the Lord. Not an addition you may or may not obey when you choose. It is hard to give up control and desires that are killing you because you think they are good. It is hard to be misunderstood and different from the world. It is hard to trust someone else when the world has shown how untrustworthy people are.
PRAY
Jesus, my God, help me surrender to you. Help me believe you are good in my suffering. Help me do the purpose you have made me for. Help me know your presence is with me all the way. Help me not seek to understand but trust. Help me let go of my will and do yours. Save me from myself. Amen.
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