Today’s scripture: Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tammy Mills):
I remember hearing this scripture often in my little conservative church. It was always used to remind me that it wasn’t going to be easy to enter heaven. I was taught that many would perish, because they would take the easy path to destruction. For years I believed what I had been taught.
Flash forward to my 30s. It was in those years I began to wonder why a loving God would make it so hard to get to heaven. Why make the “gate” so narrow. Shouldn’t the “gate” be large so all could enter? Then I would get to the place of wondering, “Did Jesus really even say this? Isn’t it just a second or third hand report?”
Flash forward to my 40s (thank God that is the last flash forward, for now!) Today, I find this scripture helpful in making healthy choices. I see it as a pithy advice for my life, one of many in this part of Matthew. I read this verse and am reminded of how easy it is to choose to go down a path that is not healthy for my body and spirit. It reminds me that living a healthy lifestyle, spiritually and physically, is the narrow “gate” — the gate that leads to life.
No more using this verse to condemn or scare! Today I read it as a call to healthy action!
Thought for the day: Are the choices I am making leading to life?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.