Taking the Narrow Road ... Through Faith-Colored Glasses

Closed Door courtesy Google Images

 I sat outside the office door, "Lord, Your will be done. Speak through me. Guide the conversation. This is in your hands."

I'd come to a place where figuring things out, analyzing, and strategizing the next steps were a source of exhaustion and feelings of burnout. And I just wanted God's direction and to know that He'd opened the door (or sealed it shut).

Turning to the Lord for direction is one of the best things we can do as followers of Jesus. The path He's planned for our lives is good, and when we can follow it, we can begin to see how intricately complex and beautiful (and challenging) life is for us. Some steps along the path will be freeing, exhilarating--an adventure filled with hope and accomplishment. But, as we travel along, we may find the path narrowing, becoming more difficult, sometimes making us question whether we'd misunderstood the open door back there outside the office.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:14 ESV

It's doubtful that anyone enjoys traveling a difficult path. I've heard friends' family members lament, "Can't they catch a break?" when difficult news kept pouring in. Of course, this is a normal, human reaction. (I've often asked the same question--no room for judgment here.)

But what if there was a lesson we miss because our focus isn't on the kingdom of God, but on our own comfort and satisfaction?

The other day, I was listening to a podcast Back Porch Theology with Lisa Harper. In this hour, Lisa and Allison discuss Ruth's story. They briefly mentioned the closest kinsman redeemer. A comment was made: "We don't even know his name."

Ruth-Barley Harvest courtesy Google Images

This statement was followed by comments regarding how often we want to count the cost of saying "Yes" to Jesus. But do we ever count the cost of saying "No" to Jesus?

Was the closest kinsman redeemer worried about his reputation? Taking a Moabite woman as his wife would be scandalous. He could've been the grandfather of a king. And generations later, we learn that this man forfeited his part in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus. He had no idea what he was giving up when he said no.

But if he could've known, faith would be unimportant.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

Can you imagine? Naomi married, then followed her husband and two sons to Moab due to a famine in the land of Bethlehem. Her husband died. Her sons married, then died, leaving widowed women with Naomi. She heard that there was bread in Bethlehem again and decided to return home. She had nothing left, except the Moabite women as her daughters. She urged them to return to their father's homes, as she wouldn't be able to marry and expect them to wait for a son to be born and grow to marrying age.

Her life had turned bitter. She couldn't "catch a break," and likely knew she was returning home desolate.

But Ruth chose to continue on with her. She said "Yes" to Naomi's God. And later, so did Boaz. Ruth couldn't have anticipated laying the grandfather of King David--and a distant ancestor of Jesus--in Naomi's arms.

Their yes was not only costly, but also had a huge payout.

Narrow Gate/Difficult Path Courtesy Google Images

When our path becomes narrow, we may come across opportunities to take a detour for a smoother road, less resistance, or the illusion of rest. It might look like a bigger payday, lower friction in the office, fewer people to interact with, less time on the road, and fewer responsibilities. 

When these opportunities present, it is vital to ask the Lord whether it's His direction. It may be a mirage. It might be a distraction to get us to veer off a plan set in motion by our Father to accomplish something beautiful. Perhaps to share His love with those people sharing the office.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV).

Considering these things, while the road ahead may be rough, we can take courage in the hope that Jesus is with us. If He called us to the path, He will be with us along the way. This is our guarantee.

Although we cannot see the end goal or the result of our "Yes," we can know that throughout eternity, we will get to celebrate God's masterful work in and through our lives and those with us.

And this brings us to our best defense against the bitterness of questioning our choices: 

If we believe God led us onto the path, give thanks to Him. He is faithful. He's forgotten nothing. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And He knows what the end of our path looks like. And it's better than we could ever hope. 

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2: 9 NKJV).

It's when we look through faith colored glasses that we'll see clearly our hope. But we must allow Jesus to clear the lenses for us by trusting Him, which means we cannot "lean on our own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

Until next time, walk in His light and life. 💜 Karlene J 💜

Coming soon: Letters to the Church: Galatians

To Look Through Faith-Colored Glasses

Closed Door courtesy Google Images

 I sat outside the office door, "Lord, Your will be done. Speak through me. Guide the conversation. This is in your hands."

I'd come to a place where figuring things out, analyzing, and strategizing the next steps were a source of exhaustion and feelings of burnout. And I just wanted God's direction and to know that He'd opened the door (or sealed it shut).

Turning to the Lord for direction is one of the best things we can do as followers of Jesus. The path He's planned for our lives is good, and when we can follow it, we can begin to see how intricately complex and beautiful (and challenging) life is for us. Some steps along the path will be freeing, exhilarating--an adventure filled with hope and accomplishment. But, as we travel along, we may find the path narrowing, becoming more difficult, sometimes making us question whether we'd misunderstood the open door back there outside the office.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:14 ESV

It's doubtful that anyone enjoys traveling a difficult path. I've heard friends' family members lament, "Can't they catch a break?" when difficult news kept pouring in. Of course, this is a normal, human reaction. (I've often asked the same question--no room for judgment here.)

But what if there was a lesson we miss because our focus isn't on the kingdom of God, but on our own comfort and satisfaction?

The other day, I was listening to a podcast Back Porch Theology with Lisa Harper. In this hour, Lisa and Allison discuss Ruth's story. They briefly mentioned the closest kinsman redeemer. A comment was made: "We don't even know his name."

Ruth-Barley Harvest courtesy Google Images

This statement was followed by comments regarding how often we want to count the cost of saying "Yes" to Jesus. But do we ever count the cost of saying "No" to Jesus?

Was the closest kinsman redeemer worried about his reputation? Taking a Moabite woman as his wife would be scandalous. He could've been the grandfather of a king. And generations later, we learn that this man forfeited his part in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus. He had no idea what he was giving up when he said no.

But if he could've known, faith would be unimportant.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

Can you imagine? Naomi married, then followed her husband and two sons to Moab due to a famine in the land of Bethlehem. Her husband died. Her sons married, then died, leaving widowed women with Naomi. She heard that there was bread in Bethlehem again and decided to return home. She had nothing left, except the Moabite women as her daughters. She urged them to return to their father's homes, as she wouldn't be able to marry and expect them to wait for a son to be born and grow to marrying age.

Her life had turned bitter. She couldn't "catch a break," and likely knew she was returning home desolate.

But Ruth chose to continue on with her. She said "Yes" to Naomi's God. And later, so did Boaz. Ruth couldn't have anticipated laying the grandfather of King David--and a distant ancestor of Jesus--in Naomi's arms.

Their yes was not only costly, but also had a huge payout.

Narrow Gate/Difficult Path Courtesy Google Images

When our path becomes narrow, we may come across opportunities to take a detour for a smoother road, less resistance, or the illusion of rest. It might look like a bigger payday, lower friction in the office, fewer people to interact with, less time on the road, and fewer responsibilities. 

When these opportunities present, it is vital to ask the Lord whether it's His direction. It may be a mirage. It might be a distraction to get us to veer off a plan set in motion by our Father to accomplish something beautiful. Perhaps to share His love with those people sharing the office.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV).

Considering these things, while the road ahead may be rough, we can take courage in the hope that Jesus is with us. If He called us to the path, He will be with us along the way. This is our guarantee.

Although we cannot see the end goal or the result of our "Yes," we can know that throughout eternity, we will get to celebrate God's masterful work in and through our lives and those with us.

And this brings us to our best defense against the bitterness of questioning our choices: 

If we believe God led us onto the path, give thanks to Him. He is faithful. He's forgotten nothing. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And He knows what the end of our path looks like. And it's better than we could ever hope. 

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2: 9 NKJV).

It's when we look through faith colored glasses that we'll see clearly our hope. But we must allow Jesus to clear the lenses for us by trusting Him, which means we cannot "lean on our own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

Until next time, walk in His light and life. 💜 Karlene J 💜

Coming soon: Letters to the Church: Galatians