Wisdom for Walking
I was talking to someone recently and this phrase came out of my mouth: “Most people take the easiest path.” When I said it, I knew God was speaking a truth to us. When people are presented with a choice of two options, most people, not all, but most, will choose the easiest path. This path has also been called the path of least resistance. It is human nature to want to take what appears to be the easy way.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:13 (NKJV)
Every person has a choice about which path they will take in life- the wide, easy path that leads to hell or the narrow, more restricted path that leads to eternal life. I like how this verse is rendered in the Voice.
There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Matthew 7:13 (The Voice, VOICE)
Like I said, most people take the easiest path. That is why God’s people are always a remnant, or just a fraction of the entire group. Just a few will choose the narrow way. The narrow way doesn’t just mean receiving Jesus as your Savior, but it also means honoring him as your Lord, the Ruler of your life. Even as Christians, we can choose incorrectly and reap the consequences of taking the “easier” path.
As Christians, it can appear to be easier to follow the ways of the world rather than stand out as being different. We all want to be accepted, but some will compromise their beliefs in order to feel that they’re a part of the group. Let’s say, for example, that a believer is invited to a party where he knows there will be alcohol served. He can politely refuse, and possibly be branded as a snob or as being “holier than thou” On the other hand, he can accept the invitation and attend the party. The repercussions of that choice could bring destruction to his life like Matthew 7:13 states. While at the party, he may cave to more pressure and drink alcohol, opening the door to alcoholism, or he may get drunk and do things he is later ashamed of. Or, he may not drink any alcohol, but others may hear of his attendance at the party and assume he did drink alcohol, and his reputation takes a big hit. There are numerous negative things that could happen as a result of taking the “easier” path in this example. While taking the easier path may not always lead to eternal separation from Christ, it can bring destruction in other ways. The path that looks the easiest often turns out to be the hardest one to travel.
Does God always want us to go through life dealing with hardships and trials. No, He said that if we would follow Him, choosing the more difficult and narrow path, He would go before us and make that path smooth and straight. When we choose God’s path, He, in turn, makes that path easier for us to walk on.
“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth, Isaiah 45:2 (New American Standard Bible, NASB)
God spoke these words originally to Cyrus, but we can claim that promise for ourselves as well. If we will choose the Lord’s way, which usually appears to be the more difficult path, He will smooth the way out for us.
