![In the latter part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is recorded as saying “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Recently I got to listen to some friends reflect on their struggles in following God, especially through difficult circumstances and understanding times that felt like nothing short of abandonment.
Oddly, this teaching of Jesus popped in my head as a response to the soul searching I heard.
It occurred to me that we often talk about “the narrow way” as a differentiation between a life of blissful sin or strict piety. The wide path is the “party” path and the narrow path is the churched path.
I don’t know that this captures the heart of the passage.
It’s indeed a narrow path the few will find, and it may be true that many people would choose a wider, easier path.
However, we may find that the path is narrow and difficult for the exact reason that my friends felt abandoned by God—when things go terribly wrong, can we keep faith in a God who seems distant, uninvolved, and apathetic?
I feel that this may be the true issue of the difficult path.
Anyone can seek God when it proves beneficial for that person’s immediate welfare, success, and happiness.
It’s much more difficult to see God when things fall apart.
In our subsequent despair we may choose cheap thrills, mindless satisfaction, and spend as much time as possible running from God.
Therein lies the true essence of our “bad” behavior—we are seeking numbness.
Some may say we are seeking death; or, at least the death of our souls.
Jesus offers an alternative way and he’s honest about its difficulty. But we may just find that it is the way to life.
[photo via deviantART]](http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/mrcrowder/660245804/1/tumblr_l3enh7FGfW1qzotf2)
In the latter part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is recorded as saying “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Recently I got to listen to some friends reflect on their struggles in following God, especially through difficult circumstances and understanding times that felt like nothing short of abandonment. Oddly, this teaching of Jesus popped in my head as a response to the soul searching I heard. It occurred to me that we often talk about “the narrow way” as a differentiation between a life of blissful sin or strict piety. The wide path is the “party” path and the narrow path is the churched path. I don’t know that this captures the heart of the passage. It’s indeed a narrow path the few will find, and it may be true that many people would choose a wider, easier path. However, we may find that the path is narrow and difficult for the exact reason that my friends felt abandoned by God—when things go terribly wrong, can we keep faith in a God who seems distant, uninvolved, and apathetic? I feel that this may be the true issue of the difficult path. Anyone can seek God when it proves beneficial for that person’s immediate welfare, success, and happiness. It’s much more difficult to see God when things fall apart. In our subsequent despair we may choose cheap thrills, mindless satisfaction, and spend as much time as possible running from God. Therein lies the true essence of our “bad” behavior—we are seeking numbness. Some may say we are seeking death; or, at least the death of our souls. Jesus offers an alternative way and he’s honest about its difficulty. But we may just find that it is the way to life. [photo via deviantART]
About
I'm a runner, writer, thinker, and pastor. I love to agitate people's consciences. I like to spend my time reading, running, and relaxing with family & friends.I work as a director of community formation at Highland Park Presbyterian Church and this blog in no way reflects the thoughts or attitudes of my church. You can catch me teaching regularly at Wake Up! and Pub Night Dallas.
I use Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals to read Scripture and pray daily, join me!
Me, Elsewhere
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