The way to life
I stumbled across this cartoon:
and it raised some interesting questions for me. Many people talk about wanting to change the world, make an impact, save the endangered species, and many others. However, when these desires come with a cost attached, many people just can't make the jump. When I reflect about the journey of faith and the Christian life, I begin to see with clarity these words of Jesus, "...small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matt 7:14) So, what is this small gate and narrow road that Jesus speaks of? It's the sermon on the mount. That tiny, little speech Jesus makes to the crowds where he outlines his vision statement. I won't recount the sermon here, but check it out in Matthew 5-7 if you're interested.
and it raised some interesting questions for me. Many people talk about wanting to change the world, make an impact, save the endangered species, and many others. However, when these desires come with a cost attached, many people just can't make the jump. When I reflect about the journey of faith and the Christian life, I begin to see with clarity these words of Jesus, "...small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matt 7:14) So, what is this small gate and narrow road that Jesus speaks of? It's the sermon on the mount. That tiny, little speech Jesus makes to the crowds where he outlines his vision statement. I won't recount the sermon here, but check it out in Matthew 5-7 if you're interested. Now, it would be negligent and arrogant of me to let you suppose that I believe that I am on this "narrow road" to "life", because I don't feel like I am. Perhaps I oscillate between the narrow and the wide way, offering parts of my life the the radical call of Jesus, while holding others back. Perhaps, like Betty in the cartoon above, my words need to be enveloped in action as I search for the "way" in my life.
posted by Sime @ 2:15 pm
2 Comments
2 Comments:
When could one properly say they are on the narrow road? Or is it possible to stay on the narrow road?
I've always wondered if people who, to me and others, seem like they have found this right way to live, still think they are not quite there.
Is it a perpetual state of feeling we have not yet realised the life we should live?
I think we've all made movements, like you said, that maybe reflect the calling to live in a manner that is contrary to the norms of society, but there's still many parts of our lives yet to be changed - whether by choice, or because we just haven't realised they might need a review. At least, this is the case with my life.
To continue your analogy, I think that perhaps I've begun to move off the couch, but still haven't made it to the door.
BC,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I reckon that people will always oscillate between the narrow and wide road, I guess it's the reality of life. I know that there are times when I just couldn't be bothered thinking about the ethics of eating at McD's or consuming Cadbury chocolate- I'm just in need of a sugar fix. Then there are other times when these issues are so important and the rights of workers in 3rd world countries is in the front of my mind.
As you've suggested, we make movements towards the narrow, movements off the couch. Yet we're seeming caught between action and sitting on the couch, stuck in our ruts.
I guess the important thing is not so much when we get off the couch to walk the way of Jesus, but that we attempt to do it with authenticity and thoughtful reflectiveness.
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