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, and only a few find it.
What is the way into the narrow gate? It is Jesus. For a Christian that is an immediate and easy answer. But we usually answer the question and leave it at that. We don't let ourselves start thinking about the answers other people come up with, or if they even have an answer. But we know one thing, that Jesus is the ONLY way through the narrow gate.
Think of the 10 nicest people you know in life. Next to each of their names, put down Christian, Not a Christian, or I don't know. Unless the answer was Christian, then there is little to no chance of that person going to Heaven. One of the nicest people you know, not going to Heaven? That's one of the thoughts I have personally avoided thinking about because of how grim it sounds, but that was a great mistake that I feel guilty for making. God tells us that the end is near. He also tells us that man's life is but a breath. Take a normal breath right now... there is your life. That's how fast life seems when taking eternal life into account. Today could be the last day for you or the people on your list. That's another grim thought that I seem to avoid at all costs, and sadly I feel like I'm not alone in this. But the time to change this is now. We might not have tomorrow. And the thing is, who's list of people ends at 10? We know a lot more people than that. How many are there that you need to talk to?
The passage says that few will find the narrow gate, and looking at the world now, this seems more true than ever. But why do the people we know already have to be counted with the many? The faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain, who says that Christians can't change the world around them? Has it not been done before? Yes, and more than once. We are walking on the narrow road toward the small gate of Life. It is up to God and to the person whether they will stop walking on the broad road and take the narrow, but we can still reach out and call to them and tell them about the road we are walking on.
Time is short, the paths are long, and the worlds at the end of each are forever. Are you on the narrow? If you are, are those around you on it as well? If they are, have Joy and encouragement with them. If they are not, do everything in your power to change that. Pray and do not end the flow of words from God through your hands and mouth. I learned that not writing and speaking when God is asking you to only seems to hurt everyone. So I say again, time is short, who is on your list?
I walked along the valley's edge,
And I noticed it coming out of the hedge.
A plant covered in flowers, growing over the trail.
Each flower was beautiful, but frail.
At the base the flowers were already dead.
Their purpose in life was done and said.
But at the other end, the flowers had yet to grow.
When I saw this plant, I knew it was not time for a devo.
The plant showed how short life is from beginning to end.
And how this "long life" we think we have is only pretend.
This sight told me to go,
And talk to the people I know.
The people who I have neglected,
Who's lives I could have affected.
But I have chosen to do nothing,
When so often I should have done something.
To feel this conviction from a flower,
It shows me how far reaching is God's power.
So I turned around and started to leave,
To talk to those for whom I did not want to grieve.
The God who made the earth and space,
And Loves me enough to give me Grace;
Told me with a plant to tell others
That those who are saved are Jesus' brothers.
God's message I was not going to miss.
And so I decided to finally act upon this,
I got up to do
What God told me to.
I went and talked to the first person that came to mind.
And when I talked to her, she was nothing but kind.
For Jesus receiving,
Is better than grieving.
Talk to that person,
Before their lives worsen.
For we are like this plant's flowers.
We might build legacies and towers,
But very soon one day,
We will all fade away.
-JoshuaJJ
Thank You For Reading
Long Live Jesus Christ
Amen
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