The Road Less Taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” (Robert Frost, 1916)

“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)

Let’s face it, following Jesus is indeed the road less taken! Our Christian life is more than just a destination – it is a quest, a journey and an adventure. Remember the book, “The Pilgrim’s Progress” that acts as an allegory of the Christian Life through the journey of the main character. As in the Pilgrim’s Progress, our lives as Christians are often fraught with challenges, temptations and obstacles. So how do we overcome them and ensure that we remain on this narrow path of life?

The answer lies in the Bible. The Gospels give us the miracle of all miracles - of God coming to live among us – His own creation. Jesus came to live on earth to reconcile us to God and also to demonstrate how we should and can live – in every way. Jesus became one of us, to enable us to become like Him.

Jesus Christ said of Himself, “The Son can do nothing” (John 5:19). He had no supernatural capabilities whatsoever. While He is 100% God, He chose to live on earth with the same limitations that we face. He made that point over and over again. Jesus became the model for all who would embrace God’s invitation to be His sons and daughters. He performed miracles, wonders and signs as a man in right relationship to God…not as God. If He performed miracles because He was God, then they would be unattainable for us. But He did them as a man to demonstrate that we can achieve the same (and more!).

Staying on this path is all about Jesus. It is about seeing Him, knowing Him, loving Him, following Him, becoming like Him and doing the works the He did. We are spiritual beings, having a temporal earthly life. We need to become more at home in the Spirit realm than in the natural. That is to see beyond the natural and physical boundaries of life and understand that there is more going on. Look at Elisha who was at peace despite the very real natural threat as he could see the Heavenly Armies ready to fight on his behalf.

It means taking a different perspective on life. What could God be using what is going on in your life for? Is it for your growth (Spiritual and character) or perhaps to enable others to feel and experience God through you. If we remain focused on our own issues we will miss the larger picture. When Jesus faced the temptation in the desert by Satan it was more than just His hunger that was at stake. It was the redemption of man by overcoming the enemy.

THE PATH OF LIGHT

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

While the path is narrow, the encouraging thing is that it should be increasing in light. Regardless of how dark and confusing it is becoming in the world, for us that are on the Path of Life, it will be getting clearer and brighter. The more that we see and know of God, the more that we become like Him and live how He would have us live. Life should be a constant transformation into becoming more like Christ and living the same Kingdom life that He led.

To stay on this narrow road, on the path of life, there is a simple key—pursue the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

It is God promising us that when we put His Kingdom first, He will take care of everything else. As Rick Joyner once said “We should not let our hearts and minds be controlled by the conditions on earth, but by the conditions in Heaven so that we can bring Heaven’s answers into any condition on earth. “ When we start putting God’s Kingdom first in our decision making we will ensure that we are where God wants us to be. We then don’t need to fear the Global Recession.

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

When Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to us. Jesus has given us the same Spirit by which He did His works! We can draw much comfort that we are not forced to face life’s challenges alone – we have the Holy Spirit continually with and in us. He is our perpetual guider – leading us to God, prompting us when we move away from Him and growing Jesus’ character in our lives. He also gives us power to do the same works that Jesus did.

LIGHT TO THE WORLD

The World will be increasingly looking to us as the times get tougher. When we build our lives on the Kingdom which cannot be shaken, when we walk in the peace, hope and joy of the Holy Spirit despite the conditions on earth, and when we can move beyond physical limitations and enter the realm of the miraculous we will have the World’s attention.

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
“For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you, and His glory will appear upon you. And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-5)

CONCLUSION

So keep focused on the end goal - Jesus. Our ultimate purpose is to know God, to fellowship with Him and to bring Him pleasure by loving His creation. In other words, as St Richard of Chichester prayed

“Lord 3 things we pray: To love Thee more dearly, to see Thee more clearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day, by day, by day. Amen”