Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Does anyone remember the song “Refiner’s Fire” by Brian Doerksen? For those who have been Christian for some time, there are certain songs from our early days in faith that we never forget. For me, Refiner’s Fire is one of those songs. Even now, I can remember the lyrics almost word for word, although I haven’t sung the song in years!
As the leadership team prepares for the year ahead, I’m reminded of the song Refiner’s Fire. I’m personally excited for what’s ahead for Lifespring. I believe that God is making a way for new projects and new things. I think God will be breaking new ground in Lifespring in 2024, which is an exciting prospect.
However, I also realize that as God calls us to new things, those new things also demand a deeper level of maturity and faith. One good example of this is the water wells that Lifespring sowed into last year. The idea of adding over $70,000 to our budget was a real challenge from an administrative and faith perspective. It was certainly a stretch and a challenge for us. But the fact that we decided to take on this challenge shows how we as a church have matured.
Part of the challenge with maturity is that it does not come easily. In science, there is something called the “principle of least effort.” This is the idea that people will naturally choose the path of least resistance when presented with different options. I think the verse from Matthew 7:13-14 speaks into this well. There are two options in the verse: a narrow gate and hard road, or a wide gate and easy road. The truth is that many people will choose to take the easy road. But Jesus directs us to not simply take the easy road and follow others, but to instead pick the path that requires greater effort.
It is this narrow gate and hard road that leads to maturity. However that is also the path of greater resistance, not least resistance. We choose to go the way of the fire of refinement, rather than the way of comfort and ease.
Lifespring, are we ready to walk such a path with Jesus? I think this is one of the greatest challenges for the year ahead–to not simply default to the wide gate and easy road, but to choose the narrow gate and the path where we will be challenged. But it is on this journey and path that Jesus promises we will find true life in Him. God offers us life, and life to the full, but the path to that life is through the narrow gate and down the hard road. May we have the courage and endurance to walk that path with Jesus.