“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few,” Matthew 7:14 (ESV). Long before satellite navigation was possible in a car, our family was traveling in the Smokey Mountains. After unfolding and studying a map, I took a road that looked like a good shortcut for us. As the road narrowed and became a curvy, steep plunge, I doubted my decision and stopped to ask a man if the road we were on would lead to where I was trying to go. He answered: “yep!” with a nod. Then he slowly surveyed our soccer-mom-van filled with four young children and said: “Mister, you don’t want to go that way.” We turned around and thankfully missed whatever peril he knew awaited us. Father, keep me from taking perilous shortcuts as I journey this day. Guide me to what is best. May my choices please You and always lead to Your perfect will.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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