Scripture: Matthew 7 v 13 -14: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Jesus spoke these words to reveal that there are two ways that lie ahead for us to choose in our Christian walk, the narrow way and the broad way. One of these leads to the life He wants for us, the other leads to our destruction.
When we first meet Jesus and are born again, we set off on a journey of discovery of who Jesus is and He lets us know what He wants us to do. If we are heading in a direction away from the path He desires for us, He will put signposts in our way and nudge us to make changes. If we are stubborn and resistant to change these nudges may become stronger.
For instance, if we are in the wrong church, we will begin to feel unhappy about going there, maybe missing meetings, or complaining about some aspect of the meeting that annoys us. If that is too gentle a nudge, we may become critical and vocal and confront the pastor, and possibly decide to move on to fresh pastures.
It is necessary to pray for guidance at this point for Jesus, our great Shepherd, to lead us to where He would like us to be fed and watered. He has a place prepared for us, and we will only be perfectly at peace when we have arrived at this spot.
In my experience of this journey, the way became so narrow that I was alone following Jesus on a single track path. He had waited a long time to get me onto this particular path and it came through a series of jolts out of my comfort zone.
The first was out of the Presbytarian church I had grown up in and which never shared the gospel of salvation or anything about the Holy Spirit. I had managed to become born again and baptised in the Holy Spirit despite their watered down social doctrine. I tried to encourage the minister to move forward but it ended up with me moving away. It was difficult in our family as my husband was Chairman of the Church Board!
However, I landed in a Pentecostal Church in the same road, and felt much more at home. During my time there the Lord led me to pray like never before. Within weeks the pastor said he saw an anointing on me and that the Lord was calling me into the ministry. My husband was still in the Presbytarian church but saw many changes in my lifestyle and attitude because I was being fed proper spiritual food. He soon jumped ship and joined me there.
After a time I knew that my calling was to pray and intercede. This is no ordinary type of prayer and requires you to spend much time alone with the Lord. My children - two sons - were likewise anointed to pray with me, however my husband resisted it and felt left out. The day came when the Lord removed me from that church too, after I had fasted for forty days. I had to leave everything behind and walk alone with Him on this very narrow path. Obedience, submission, devotion, love, faith and total dependence on Him. Few there be that find it.
It was the beginning of the end of my marriage. That too went onto His altar because my husband gave me an ultimatum. Give up everything and backslide to my level and submit to me. I fasted three days for an answer and got very clearly, Let him go! Obey God rather than man.
It was not easy to take such a leap of Faith but the Lord has been faithful every day from then till now a timespan of twenty years. I have no formal income, no big church backing me, I am still on that narrow way following closely in His footsteps and sharing in these blogs the things He has taught me on this path.
I have clearly seen the Broadway that leads to destruction. Like the theatre district it is all for show. There is plenty of hype, loud music, dancing and fun but the lights are not His Light, and the goals are centred on self rather than Jesus. We cannot save ourselves, God had to send His sinless Son to do that for us, and we need to understand what that truly means.
Having a close personal relationship with Jesus means putting Him first in everything. He has a purpose for our lives which we will never see until we spend time alone with Him. When He reveals His plan it can shock us out of complacency into the very different walk He has for us. Hopefully, it will never be as topsy turvy as mine was, but we will have to make some radical adjustments to obey and submit to His perfect will.
This is our personal walk with Him and when we connect the dots correctly it is pure joy to be in His presence. There is no boredom or lack in His Kingdom, its just a wrench to completely let go of the world and trust Jesus for the rest of our lives. He must lead us to it and we must make our choice. Thereafter it becomes easier as the world fades into insignificance and the reality of Jesus and His perfect plan become paramount.
In these last days, Jesus is looking for men, women and children who will hear His call and respond. They will not be disappointed in the results when they bravely leap out of broadway onto the narrow way that leads to life. I cannot tell you what you will become, only that it will be glorious.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are Your children and here to serve You in whatever position You desire for us. Let us seek Your will for the true direction so we will come into the unity we need before Jesus returns. In Jesus' name. Amen.
