The Narrow Gate

One of the hardest parts about ministering to people is standing by and watching those that you love and believe in begin to fall away from God. It almost seems as though the harder I try to help people down from that ledge the faster they fall. It is discouraging to watch people turn their backs on all that God has done for them. I have to distinguish between being hurt that people are avoiding me and being heartsick that people are turning away from God.

Where is that separation in ministry? Where is the line drawn? How do I not take it personally? Looking at it through the lens of Christ is even more painful. Knowing that He gave His life for us, that He sacrificed everything so that we could live, it is difficult to imagine ever disregarding Him for our own selfishness. That’s really what it is, selfishness. Wanting to do what makes me happy, what makes me feel good in the moment rather than what God has called me to do. It is the difficult choice to follow hard after God; it’s not the choice for everyone. I guess that is why it’s described as the narrow gate.

Another portion of scripture describes it as the Esau syndrome. Hebrews 12:16-17 says puts it in such simple terms, “Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.” This is not a new thing that we are dealing with here. From the beginning of time as we know people have been trading on God’s promises in order to satisfy short-term appetites. I can’t help but imagine how much further we would be in life if we could use some self-control, if we could always make the God decision.

Obviously always making the God decision is easier said than done. Thinking back on my own life I wonder how much further would I be to my goals if I had always made time to pray when I felt the spirit of God calling me there. How much closer would I be if I always stepped out in faith when I felt God leading me to? These questions can go unanswered because I can’t go backwards but I can use them as a guidepost. I can use them to shine a light on my future. What decisions am I left with right now in this moment that are determining the course of my life?

I can think of so many that are looming around my mind begging me to take the easy way out and I am tempted. I am quickly reminded of my theme for this blog, a prisoner of hope. Holding fast to God even when I want to get out, I am bound to Him. I must choose His way. I have committed to it. I can see the end goal and it is worth taking the hard way. I can see the peace when I feel the storm, I can see the joy when I feel the heart ache. I can see the dreams fulfilled when my life is in chaos.

The process is what gets us, it causes us to want to give in and quit. If we can just hold on I believe God will show up. I believe that He is here with me in the midst of the hurt and in the midst of the disappointment He hasn’t left me. Even when I choose the wide gate, even when I choose what feels good to me, He is here waiting, calling me back to Him.

I guess the answer for me as a pastor is to stand by waiting in the wings like Jesus is. Waiting for those I love to come back to Him. This is the narrow gate for me right now, I want to throw in the towel but I know God is calling me to be like Christ, not in my own strength but this is where His strength covers my weakness. Human nature would say walk away but the nature of Christ says stay, it says love no matter what, it says don’t ever give up on people.

Jesus is not intimidated by our tough circumstances, He is there waiting in the wings. Waiting for us to ask for His help. What tough decisions are you making today? I hope that this will encourage you to choose the narrow gate.