The Narrow Way
Torrey Curtis (Oklahoma, USA)


The gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. - Matthew 7:14 (NRSVUE)




Recently, my son and I were driving in the Scottish Highlands. The shift to driving on the left really tested my reflexes.

Miles and miles of single lane roads with sometimes short and narrow passing places created a new challenge to my American instincts. On one-lane roads my instinct was to pull to the right, which once nearly ended in disaster.

After that frightful incident, my son insisted that every time we came to a passing place I should pull left even if no car was approaching. I initially resisted his suggestion, but I decided to humor him. I started swerving into every passing place on the left. The more I swerved left, the more instinctive the motion became and the less thought was required. That day’s trip brought a sense of increased mastery of a life-saving habit.

How often do we assume that because we’ve had an experience or know how to do something we don’t necessarily need to develop a regular pattern of practice? We basically know what the Bible says. Maybe we have read it from cover to cover and have made a profession of faith. We go to church. We pray. Isn’t that enough? What are we missing by our failure to develop regular practices of devotion: stewardship, corporate and personal Bible study, prayer, public and private worship?




TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, your words make us uncomfortable. Help us to get past our discomfort so we can recognize the resources you provide for the road ahead. Amen.



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TODAY'S READING
Matthew 7:13-14


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What aspect of my faith do I need to practice today?


PRAYER FOCUS
Those traveling a hard road