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In a high-speed world filled with quick fixes, instant gratification and at your fingertip access, there’s another side of humanity requiring the slow and steady pace. There’s a huge hole in our society that used to be consumed with doing things the right way, taking time to pray and seek wisdom and slowing down long enough to see the plan God has for our lives. Friends, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are no shortcuts. The world owes you nothing, and while we are being honest, neither does God. There’s no free rides or handouts that will get you into Heaven.

Your Grandparent’s or parent’s faith doesn’t automatically qualify your salvation. Their prayers over your life most certainly help push you along in the right direction, but your final destination requires a long and continuous journey each and every day. I wish I could say that my walk with Jesus has been easy, but what would I have learned if not for the tears, knee torn prayers and days of darkness? “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matthew 7:13. Entering through the narrow gate requires a conscious choice to follow Jesus’s teachings and live a life of obedience, which can be challenging to so many of us along the way. If you’ve ever visited Rock City, you may be familiar with the “Needle’s Eye”.

It is an almost impossible narrow stone passage leading between two giant rockfaces that challenges visitors who bravely pass through and rewards them with a sense of accomplishment. Of course, you can bypass this attraction and take the easier way through to the other side, but as someone who loves a challenge, it’s my favorite part. This silly attraction is always what I think about when I read the passage above. There are so many circumstances in life where we believe there should be a shortcut, but many times those shortcuts we take often lead us to a greater distraction or even destruction. Success doesn’t come without sacrifice, hard work and intentional grit – if it came any other way I would warn you truly examine the ladder you are climbing.

If you feel like today that you are walking through the eye of the needle yet can’t see the end or feel the accomplishment, keep on squeezing through! Twist, turn, push and suck it up because that tight dark spot you are in will have to end soon. God didn’t promise us a trek without obstacles, but He did promise He would be with us through it all. If you’ve been brave enough to take this path least traveled, the one with only one long way forward, I want to encourage you today to stay focused. Don’t try to go off the path only to end up in the desert, stay faithful and stay true. Your reward is promised to be grand! 

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14.

Blessings,

Kayla