The Straight Way

Matthew 7: 13, 14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Luke 13: 24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

Why is it that we often take 'the long way' to get to things? On our way to my youngest daughter's basketball game tonight, my husband asked me, "Which way do you think is the shortest way to get there?" I told him I wasn't sure, so he continued on.......the longer way. Why?.....well, I thought about it, and the only thing I can think of is this: the shorter way consisted of applying the brakes and turning right........the longer way, went further down the road, with a more gentle turn......less work.....at the time. Both ways got us to the same exact place.............but, the longer way got us there just as the game had started..........

This got me thinking............how often do we do this in our spiritual lives? We are headed where we need to go...but when God speaks to us and says, "Hey, turn this way." We hesitate, and keep going the other way....because it requires less effort at the time. Only to have to go down winding roads, burn more gas, and waste more time later on. If we had turned when God wanted us to, we could have reaped the reward much sooner....and with more 'gas' in our tanks, less 'mileage' on our cars.....and less tired.

I was driving my youngest daughter to her boyfriend's house the other day......the area he lives in, there are about 4 different ways you can get there.....depending on where you are coming from. She laughed, telling me that when her sister takes her, she goes the same way every time, no matter where she is coming from. I asked her why...........and she said....."because this is the way dad showed me the first time I came". Lol............she wasted time and gas by going that way....but she didn't want to try the other ways.

Now I totally, understand this, how often do we do the same thing, the same way, everytime...just because we are familiar with that path and fear the unknown too much to try a different way? Yes, she still got to her destination..........but again, the gas and mileage she wasted. God so often tries to help us reach our goals sooner, if we will just walk in faith with Him.

I want to stay in His Word, and stay on my knees every day so that when God speaks, when He directs my paths, I will be ready to make that turn that will save time and gas in my spiritual walk. 'Where He leads me....I will follow...........where He leads me I will follow.....where He leads me I will follow...I'll go with Him, with Him ALL THE WAY!