Find the Narrow Road
The road to life has many twists and turns. A grateful heart and humble spirit will always lead you back on the right path with Jesus.
“Yahweh said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn. He refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning...Behold: I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters...and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he didn’t even take this to heart.”
Exodus 7:5, 14-17, 20, 23
Have you ever been around people who know everything and are unteachable? Someone whose cup is already full and there is no room for anyone's opinion other than their own. Pharaoh was treated as God in Egypt, but had the heart of a human. Look at the words to describe him. He was likely very intelligent, powerful, and skilled. Yet, what did he lack that caused so many problems? Humility and the willingness to listen to God.
Pride is one of the main seeds that produce pain in our own lives. Whether it is in relationship with God or with others, pride gets in the way of intimacy. How is your heart today? Do you need to be right and have your way like Pharaoh or do you feel the peace that comes with humility?
“Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth! My heart is steadfast, God. My heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises...I will wake up the dawn. I will give thanks to you, Lord...Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.”
Psalms 57:5, 7-11
Pride says I want to be lifted up. I want to be exalted and make sure people know how great I am. David, who was a king on earth, sang like a humble servant and found his joy in lifting up the name of God. What kept his heart steadfast? His one goal was to continue to move forward in glorifying God with all his heart. He found joy not when others worshipped him, but in how he worshipped the God he loved. How are you exalting, praising, and worshipping God with your life today?
“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, it will lead you...For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life”
Proverbs 6:20-23
Wisdom says we are all growing and learning. The measure of one's life is not attaining perfection, but how one grows in likeness to Jesus. It is impossible to grow without a humble heart and willingness to learn. Where would you most like to grow? What area of your life could use the most instruction?
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. I have seen his ways, and will heal him. I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh; “and I will heal them.”
Isaiah 57:2, 15, 18-19
There is a process of emptying ourselves so we can be filled with more of the Holy Spirit that comes as we draw closer to God. We have to choose to let go of things we previously held onto or that were important to us like material wealth, career advancement, prestige. God says you need healing. He offers the peace and love that heal the cracks in our hearts where we have gone astray.
When we offer our hearts fully to God, He is so gracious that He gives us what we did not ask for because we sought him above all other pursuits. It is the double win. When you turn to Jesus you find peace and prosperity. Purpose and provision. Would you like more peace in your life?
“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way...One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able. Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom.”
Luke 13:3, 18-21, 23-24, 26-27, 29
Jesus says to repent. What does that word mean to you? The word means to turn away and turn towards. Jesus says you will perish if you do not repent. Jesus so loved the world that He came that not one person would perish. What is He saying? He wants to invite us to change the way we think and turn to Him.
He wants us to move from self-centered to God-centered lives. He wants us to understand that we can experience life transformation through the power of being led by the Holy Spirit to the narrow road that is spirit led. Pharaoh would not do it. He wanted to be king of his life and king of his heart. We are people who live in truth. The truth is Pharaoh was not the king of kings, and his hard heart cost him. The beauty of Jesus invitation is that it is for everyone. All people can choose to humble themselves and all people can be transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. Where does the narrow road lead? To a blessed, beautiful, intimate relationship with the savior of your soul and healer of your heart.