Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Many times when I hear these verses mentioned or used, the implication is that there is only one specific way to get to God, a hard, narrow way.  That troubled me for a long time. As I struggled to make sense of this passage, I finally heard inspiration. 

Here is my take:  

What is the shortest distance between two points?  A straight line.  If you want the shortest, most direct path from where you are to where you are going, then a straight line it is.  

When you want to be able to focus your full attention on something, what do you do?  Why did they, why do they, put blinders on horses?  The answer is to narrow the line of sight so they only see the thing in front of them. We sharpen our ability to see all the details when we simply look in one small area at a time.  

This is the invitation Jesus is making. If you want the most direct path to God, follow this straight path, go through this narrow gate.  Jesus has offered, and continues to offer, to be our focal point for the most direct route to an intimate relationship with God.  

I don’t know about you but this rarely describes my walk with God in Christ. I am often fully engaged with the world, easily distracted by bad things and good work. But when I take the time to focus, to put some blinders on, and only walk the path in front of me, letting Jesus be my guide… the road truly is simple and straight forward.  Not always easy, meaning no work involved, for sometimes this simple, straightforward path is incredibly difficult to walk.   But I never have to worry, even in midst of the difficulty, I never worry that I’m headed the wrong direction.  

When Jesus is the gate I focus on, the filter for all I do, I can walk a straight path; I have an inner peace and joy that comes from knowing I am on the best path.