Life is full of choices, of opportunities, decisions to make each day. When I read Matthew 7:13, I knew this would be my 9th memory verse this year:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” English Standard Version
I’ve seen the beckoning wide gate recently. I have felt the apparent ease of the wide gate. I have heard the whispers that lead to destruction. When the Salesman and I walk in the evenings, I’ve seen a beautiful visual of a narrow gate tucked between a dense hedge and brick borders.
Some choices look so good to me. But when weighed by the Truth of Scripture, they are gates that lead to destruction. The end of some opportunities presented is destruction, no matter how appealing they seem.
The definition of narrow is “something that is considerably longer or higher than it is wide.” Doing right can sometimes seem like a long path. Doing wrong can appear to be easy and appealing. At times recently, I’ve wanted to do the easy. Life is hard. The enemy fights with every ounce of his fiber to tempt us to sin against our Father. The enemy fights to keep many entering at the wide gate. Sin is fun for a season; but we know sin brings death. GOD brings life. His plans are good for us and include a hope and a future. The devil is in the business to steal, kill and destroy.
Make no fleeting or superficial mistakes,
No matter how appealing, the reality the enemy presents is fake
Many enter at his wide and welcoming gate
But before you go there, please consider and wait:
The narrow gate
Is where GOD waits
The narrow gate
The wide gate beckons
And wouldn’t you reckon
The devil and his cohorts make it enticing
Appealing to me, like buttercream icing
The wide gate beckons and calls to me
To just step closer, so I can see
What waits on the broad road
Are just lies from a toad
Destruction is at end
Just beyond the beautiful bend
Destruction is at the end
Do not go to the wide gate
No matter how lovely
No matter how inviting
No matter how enticing
No matter.
Because it does matter.
Run the other way –
Now, today.
Go to the narrow gate
There you will find ME, there I wait
At the narrow gate
You know the plans I have for you
Jeremiah 29:11-13 states a few
I have good plans for you
Enter by the narrow gate
There you will find me, it is there I wait
Enter by the narrow gate
A special thank you to Victoria Leigh for creating a visual verse. You can find more of her designs at Her Awesome Website. And you can join in the fun at Beth Moore’s blog Verse 9 post.