The Narrow Way

[phareztamar]

THE NARROW WAY

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Despite what you’ve heard; the narrow way is not, a dance you learn as you go. According to God in Christ, it is an established route…an already blazed trail. Starting just beyond a strait gate; it winds through hill and dale, all the way to life eternal. It was traveled by the Master, His mother, His apostles, and a chosen few before us.

It is worth noting, that our text is the only place, where the Greek is translated narrow. Of nine other listings; four are rendered afflicted, four are troubled, and one is tribulation. Perhaps the inflection is, that this is no cake walk…no escalator to heaven eating Bon Bon’s. It is a daunting trail…strewn with potholes and washes…walled with tangled briars and thorny vines. Often, there are forks in the road. They usually appear, just as clouds are covering the light to our path…and dust is blurring the lamp to our feet. This harrowing narrow way, stretches from our strait gate, all the way to the grave…we are ever upon it.

Every human being is unique…for so were we wonderfully made. We are billions of base pair of DNA, crammed inside trillions of cells, all glued together and walking about. The possible variations are endless. And this complex bio-genetic design, is actually a snapshot, of the heart of our God.
For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.
With the same complexity that He spoke creation into existence, did He carve out this narrow way.

It cares not for our differences. Some of us are gold dust…some are gold flake…and some are nuggets, or alloy, or raw ore. Throw us all in a pot, and turn up the heat. The impurities rise…the gold is purified…and we melt into one ingot. Of such is the narrow way. Whatever your life circumstance…whatever your handicap…whatever your impurity…it does not matter. As we navigate this winding path…with our rudder of free will…our scraggles are pruned…our wrongs are righted…and our impurities are purged, unto life eternal. Through daylight and dark…across mountain-top moments, and valleys of death…the narrow way is ever shaping us for heaven. As a cunning instrument in the Master’s hand, its twists and turns…its bumps and ruts…build character, strengthen faith, and crucify the flesh. One might have a propensity for detail…losing sight of the forest…for one tree. Another may be overly judgmental or critical. Yet another, may be weak in frivolity or sloth. All of these are carefully honed by the Master, on this narrow way. But each in its own time. After all, tomorrows pruning, may kill me today.

Some consider the narrow way an enigma…something imaginary…a figure of speech. It is not. Much to the distaste of many; it is a code of conduct…a set of rules…a trove of moral values. It is a submission to the ministry, the authority, and the structure, of the church of the living God. It is a weaning from the world around us…a re-focused vision of life…a seeking of the best in others…a deep-seated honesty and integrity. These are the visible sprigs, from our hidden source…the baptism of the Holy Ghost. They grow into a life of worship and adoration…a 100% commitment.

Few there be that find it…let alone stay the course, and survive its often grueling and rocky terrain. For, as the slim chance of finding it implies an intense search; so does he that endures imply a colossal battle…a treacherous path…a very narrow way. It will chafe against the rights you thought you still had, though you were bought with a price. The process starts by clearing the large boulders from our dry well. But soon enough, we’re down to the more cumbersome pebbles and grit. Hidden pride. Surges of lust. Layers of bitterness. New envyings and strife. If we endure until the end, it is a life-long pruning and purging. Yet, this is only half of the story.

The narrow way is also a deepening, rich relationship with the Master of the universe. As we slowly leave off our will, we begin to trust the will of the Father. This is no small task. Our natural father wanted our independence in the world, while our Father wishes only our utter dependence…upon Him. The world demands strength; but on this path, God is perfected in our weakness.

Moreover, who can estimate the value of fellowship upon this path? Who can fully describe, the hovering presence of the Holy Ghost, in a temple of believers singing praises and worshipping? What price shall we place, on anointed preaching that cleanses the soul…as the dripping dew of the mustard tree, cleanses the wool of the sheep? How do you capture…let alone share…a midnight, desk-lit revelation in His word…or His healing touch in a closet of brokenness…or seeing Christ in you. There are no words for these moments. These things too, are the narrow way.

If you have no tribulation in your life, then you’ve yet to find the narrow way…for such were we promised:
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

But even in tribulation…guaranteed tribulation…we are promised that it is joy unspeakable and full of glory. We are assured that it is life more abundantly. And we are loved enough, that the Son will reveal to us, His Father.

As we travel this path, we begin to set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. The world grows dim. The enormity of sin…and its trail of death and crime for 6,000 years…begins to sink in. We see people differently. Our own frailty and limitations dawn upon us. The finality of death…the vastness of space…the purposes of God…these things now capture our attention.

In the end, life…on the narrow way, or the broad road…is a constant assault on truth. We are given only His Word, and His Spirit, to guide us through. And often in the rough spots…for a child of truth…He extends his hand also.