A couple of weeks ago my family and I attended an amazing fundraiser for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was a great event—well run and well worth the time. We were proud to support an organization that believes God’s word to be exactly what it is—HIS word—and who desire to see coaches and athletes experience a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The grounds were packed with people, which means the parking lot was full. The field adjacent to the property had rows and rows of cars. So much so that cars were beginning to park across a residential road!
When it came time to leave, we loaded up the car and carefully made our way out of the center of the field. If I went right, it would take me to a long line that had formed on the road. But if I went left, I might could squeak out onto the residential road on the side of the property. I made the left turn and carefully examined whether I would be able to flex my wife’s Honda SUV without hurting it in order to get on the road. I stopped about halfway to check and be sure all was well when I noticed the sign on the residential road. “Narrow Road” it said. The lineless road that was about a car and a half wide wound around the field behind.
What struck me was the notice that the road was narrow before someone actually experienced its narrowness.
The “narrow road” warning sign before the FCA event.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is 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.” —Matthew 7:13-14
God tells us that there is a road that leads to life. THAT is kind and gracious. Then He tells us that this road is narrow. THAT is fair warning. In order to live the life God calls us to, we have to travel the narrow road. This means that there isn’t room for everything; only room for somethings. The word of God is full of what fits on the road and what doesn’t. In order to travel it, you have to abide by its narrowness because (fair warning) the way is narrow.
Know today that it is an act of grace and favor to be told how to have real life—eternal life. Know even so that the way to life is narrow. You’ve been warned, and you’ve been told, now travel that way and see that it leads to His glory.
—Pastor Whit