On your journey in faith, you'll quickly discover that walking with God requires taking steps into the unknown on a regular basis. I can't help but think that our mercies are new every single day to give us another chance to take a few more steps in faith today than we did yesterday. Thank you, Jesus!
Could it be that this path is narrow and difficult to find for a reason? Matthew 7:13 NLT says, "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way."
To enter through the narrow gate, we first must walk in the way that leads to it.
This requires us to be determined to find the path. Once found, we must be determined to walk it. Then, as we walk it, we have to be committed to staying on it.
As I meditated on this concept, the Lord reminded me of how wagers work in the game of Jeopardy. When a contestant chooses a Daily Double square, they are required to place their wager based only on the topic. Their confidence in the category is what they use to place their bet on knowing the question that produces the answer that comes next.
It's the same concept with our faith. The level of our bet, or our 'yes,' to God is determined on our level of confidence not in a category but in the Creator Himself.
Before you see what's at the end of the path, you have to be determined to let God lead the way. He asks for your decision, your wager, before He asks for you to take a step.
How much does your 'yes' weigh? It can be so easy to say 'yes' when we know the answer, when we've seen how the story ends. But what happens when the road ahead is dark, unpaved and unknown. Does your 'yes' still have the same weight?
Once you decide, it's time to walk. Just as once the wager is made in Jeopardy, the question appears, it's time to put action to your answer. Now that you've found the path, it's time to walk in it.
It's one thing to find the path, it's another thing to walk it.
It's not always going to be easy. Actually, in all honesty, it's never easy. The ways of this world hurl rocks, plant snakes and create distractions that will try to make us lose our way constantly. Yet as we walk with Him, we can take heart in knowing that His Word promises in Proverbs 3:16, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." So be determined to walk the narrow path no matter what, and then take your first step.
The Good News is, you never walk this path alone.
It's like the Psalmist in PS. 119:105 NKJV says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The journey in faith is one that requires a constant light and a trustworthy guide. It's much too dark and unfamiliar for us to lead the way.
As we walk, we must listen and yield to the voice of the Lord who says, "Keep My Pace and You Will Not Stray."
We lean in to the promises of His Word and we listen for His voice. So that when the detours of this world try to come and get in our way, we are not led astray.
Despite what this world may say, His Way is so much better than anything this world has to offer. If I could give any advice regarding your journey in faith it would be this: Don't sacrifice a detour, or you may lose your way.
Are you ready to begin walking this path today? I encourage you to pray Psalm 25:4-5 NKJV, "Show me your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."
If you're already walking this path, I pray that your feet won't stray and speak Isaiah 30:21 NKJV over you today, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."
This journal entry was inspired by a message from Michael Todd entitled "It's Not Safer in the Shallow" -> Watch Here