Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 (Aminta)
My family got to spend last weekend in San Fransisco visiting our oldest daughter, Alivia. She is currently living and training there to become a professional ballerina. While we were traveling we got to see her perform, eat delicious food, and hike through Muir Woods.
If you have never seen it, Muir Woods is an incredible sight. The famous Redwood trees stand several hundred feet tall and they grow on the side of a mountain. They are majestic! The whole forest smells like a Christmas tree and it’s lovely.
The hiking trails were absolutely breathtaking…but they were OH.SO.NARROW. In some spots, the path was less than 12 inches wide and the drop off was hundreds of feet at the edge.
It took everything I had to keep going sometimes! My fear kicked in as I watched my boys run excitedly ahead and I could just imagine the fall they would take if they took a mis-step. I walked much slower then them and had to concentrate on the path ahead of me; I could not look around too much or I would get dizzy and scared.
A few times, I had to stop my boys and have a talk (lecture!) about the importance of being careful and staying on the narrow path. I explained how I didn’t want them to fall and get hurt or worse. In their excitement, they would quickly forget my warnings and another “talk” would ensue. Thank the Lord we only had one minor fall and it wasn’t over the edge. Oh, how difficult it is for little boys to stay on the narrow path!
However, the whole incident got me thinking about how hard it is in real life to stay on the narrow path that leads to eternal life. The ways are the world are so enticing and the narrow path can be so difficult.
Jesus said it this way in Matthew 7:13-14:
“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.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
He made this statement after giving his famous Sermon on the Mount; a talk that redefined what it means to walk out our faith. Jesus made radical statements like love your enemy, keep pure, don’t love money, and don’t judge others.
Radical love.
Radical purity.
Radical generosity.
Much like the Redwood trails, it’s difficult to stay on that narrow path! Especially because we live in a world that values self, money, and status. These biblical values are rare! I know I am guilty of getting distracted by the things of the world!
Can I encourage you this week to spend a few minutes reading Jesus’ sermon? It is found in Matthew 5-7. Then, when you are finished, pray this prayer and ask God to help you walk the narrow path that leads to the narrow gate!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so much! Thank you for the promise of heaven when this life is finished. Please help me to live in a way that honors you and brings glory to your name. Show me how to embody the values of love, purity and generosity and lead me on the narrow path of life. Correct me when I am about to leave the path, for I humble myself before you. May your kingdom come and may your will be done in my life.
Amen.
We are better together.
Mint
If you have never seen it, Muir Woods is an incredible sight. The famous Redwood trees stand several hundred feet tall and they grow on the side of a mountain. They are majestic! The whole forest smells like a Christmas tree and it’s lovely.
The hiking trails were absolutely breathtaking…but they were OH.SO.NARROW. In some spots, the path was less than 12 inches wide and the drop off was hundreds of feet at the edge.
It took everything I had to keep going sometimes! My fear kicked in as I watched my boys run excitedly ahead and I could just imagine the fall they would take if they took a mis-step. I walked much slower then them and had to concentrate on the path ahead of me; I could not look around too much or I would get dizzy and scared.
A few times, I had to stop my boys and have a talk (lecture!) about the importance of being careful and staying on the narrow path. I explained how I didn’t want them to fall and get hurt or worse. In their excitement, they would quickly forget my warnings and another “talk” would ensue. Thank the Lord we only had one minor fall and it wasn’t over the edge. Oh, how difficult it is for little boys to stay on the narrow path!
However, the whole incident got me thinking about how hard it is in real life to stay on the narrow path that leads to eternal life. The ways are the world are so enticing and the narrow path can be so difficult.
Jesus said it this way in Matthew 7:13-14:
“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.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
He made this statement after giving his famous Sermon on the Mount; a talk that redefined what it means to walk out our faith. Jesus made radical statements like love your enemy, keep pure, don’t love money, and don’t judge others.
Radical love.
Radical purity.
Radical generosity.
Much like the Redwood trails, it’s difficult to stay on that narrow path! Especially because we live in a world that values self, money, and status. These biblical values are rare! I know I am guilty of getting distracted by the things of the world!
Can I encourage you this week to spend a few minutes reading Jesus’ sermon? It is found in Matthew 5-7. Then, when you are finished, pray this prayer and ask God to help you walk the narrow path that leads to the narrow gate!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so much! Thank you for the promise of heaven when this life is finished. Please help me to live in a way that honors you and brings glory to your name. Show me how to embody the values of love, purity and generosity and lead me on the narrow path of life. Correct me when I am about to leave the path, for I humble myself before you. May your kingdom come and may your will be done in my life.
Amen.
We are better together.
Mint
