Through the narrow gate is the way of true life.

You’ve been traveling for many days now. Everything that you treasure and hold dear to you is snug in the backpack you’re wearing. The longer you’ve walked, the heavier it has become. You wonder if you should stop and unload some of these valuables. Surely a few hopes, dreams, or desires could be emptied out and you’d feel lighter.

You decide against it and trudge on.

You’ve started to bend over from the weight you’re carrying when you look up to see a large, droopy willow tree. Peeking out from the loose branches is a small, rusty, aged gate. It’s partially cracked open but tangled in weeds that have grown up around the frame. Curious, you wander up closer to it and notice lettering on the gate that’s caked in dirt, making it impossible to read. You brush off the dirt with your sleeve to reveal the words “LIFE.” Underneath, the fine print reads, “wholeness, abundant love, belonging, purpose, healing and freedom.” As you peer past the gate, you see a small, worn path. Rocks jut out from the ground and the path is lined with overgrown bushes on either side as far as you can see. It’s dark except for the slightest flicker of light illuminating the path in the distance as it veers off to the right.

Just as you place your hand on the gate, you’re distracted by a sound coming from behind you. It’s a crowd of people, loud and laughing. They are walking towards a different gate. This one is shiny silver, etched with elaborate designs. It’s easily twenty feet high and forty feet across. Swung wide open, people are walking through it with ease. Through the gate, there’s a perfectly paved road winding up a small hillside. It’s surrounded by open fields, lush green blooming with every kind of wildflower. As you watch the crowds disappear over the hillside, you can’t see where they’ve gone.

You’re compelled to take a closer look. Surprisingly, the top of the silver gate reads the exact same letters, “LIFE.” But, just to the left, a small plaque with writing catches your eye. You step up to read: “Enter at your own risk. Shortcut. Dangers ahead. Heavy work is required. Expect Ruin. Loss.”

You pause, conflicted on which road to travel. Which gate to walk through.

What’s possible if you choose LIFE through the rusty, aged gate?

The way looks harder, less-traveled, and unpredictable. But, that light! The light ignites a bit of something like hope in your heart. And those words written in fine print? That’s the kind of life you’ve been dreaming of!

You take a deep breath and turn back towards the narrow path.

Yanking open the creaky gate, you take one last glance over your shoulder at the travelers passing through the shiny, wide gate. Your first few steps are cautious. You keep your head down as you watch your footing.

But, as you walk, you notice that someone has come alongside you and is keeping pace with your steps. You look up into eyes that seem to already know you. A face that radiates joy. His voice is kind and compassionate. You feel comforted by his arrival.

The friend offers his own water bottle to quench your thirst. He breaks off a piece of bread from the loaf he is carrying and holds it out to you, sensing your hunger. He lifts off your heavy backpack and moves it onto his shoulders.

You’ve started on the narrow way: A way that leads to true life. And, as you continue the journey, you know you will never be alone.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV