Finding Life on the Narrow Path

Life is hard. This simple truth often catches us by surprise, even though we know it intellectually. We face an enemy who wants to steal, kill, and destroy - not a political party or the people on the news, but the spiritual enemy that Scripture warns about. And this enemy particularly targets those who are trying to honor God and build His kingdom.

For the next five Sundays, we'll be exploring this concept of "choosing your hard" because while life is inevitably difficult, we get to choose which kind of hard we experience.

What Does It Mean to Choose Your Hard?

Every day, we face choices between what's easier now and what's better later. The reality is that easy now doesn't mean easy always - it often leads to something even harder down the road. You don't get to choose between easy and hard; you get to choose which hard you're going with.

Consider these examples:

Being in shape is hard, but so is being unhealthy

Being married well is hard, but so is being divorced

Raising kids intentionally is hard, but so is living with regret

Following Jesus is hard, but living without Him is even harder

Two Paths: The Wide and the Narrow

Our series is founded on two powerful scriptures:

Proverbs 14:12 - "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."

Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate, and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

These passages reveal a profound truth: there are only two paths in life - one that seems right but leads to destruction, and one that may be difficult but leads to life.

Why Is Life So Hard for Everyone?

Life is hard because we live in a broken world. Even if we had better circumstances, better schedules, and better rhythms, life would still be hard because we live in a fallen, sin-broken world.

Jesus Himself said, "In this world you will have troubles." He didn't say "some will" or "you might" - He said "you will." As leadership expert John Maxwell puts it, "Everything worthwhile is uphill all the way." There's never a point where life just levels out and you can coast.

Why Does the Easy Road Lead to More Hardship?

The easy road leads to more hardship because it's deceptive. Jesus described it as a wide gate and broad road that leads to destruction. It's crowded, noisy, and comfortable - but it ends in emptiness.

This explains why we live in a world with so little peace and so much anxiety, depression, and mental struggle. When we try to live apart from God's truth, life doesn't get easier - it gets emptier.

If you're following what most people are doing with their money, marriages, homes, jobs, and child-rearing, you're probably on the wide path. And while it might feel good in the short term, it leads to destruction in the long run.

How Does the Hard Road Lead to a Full Life?

Jesus said the narrow road is small and few find it - not because He hides it, but because few people are willing to take it. God's way is often countercultural and harder up front, but it's the only way that leads to peace, purpose, and full life.

The narrow road means choosing obedience when it costs you. It means going against the flow of culture and sometimes standing alone. But this kind of hard always leads to life.

If there are areas in your life where you're not experiencing abundance, it's not because God doesn't want to give it to you. It's because we often choose the wide path in certain areas while walking the narrow path in others.

Life Application

As you reflect on this message, consider these questions:

1. In what areas of your life are you currently choosing what seems right but is actually leading to destruction?

2. Are you choosing what's easier now over what's best later?

3. If you continue on your current path in areas like finances, relationships, work, or health, will it lead to a full life or to destruction?

4. Would you make the same choices if you knew God was watching and you had to give an account for them?

The challenge is clear: Life is hard. Choose the hard that leads to a full life.

Remember, you cannot get onto the narrow path by your own willpower or determination. It requires the power of God working in your life. If you're struggling, ask God to help you get off the path of destruction and onto the path that leads to life.

Over the next few weeks, we'll explore how to make these hard choices in specific areas: finances, relationships, vocation, and personal health. The goal isn't to avoid hardship altogether, but to choose the kind of hardship that leads to the abundant life Jesus promised.