The Narrow Path

What kind of a path does Jesus describe when He said “the way is narrow that leads to life?” (Matt. 7:14) It’s narrow, but is it sometimes invisible?

There are many promises from God about the path He will lay out for our earthly journey. Here are a few:

• I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads leads you in the way you should go. (Isa. 48:17)
• And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed. (Deut. 31:8)
• Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)
• I will go before you and make the rough places smooth… (Isa. 45:2)
• I am the way, the truth and the life… (John 14:6)

When I read verses like these I think God’s path will be easily seen right in front of me. It sure seems to imply that. But my experience says otherwise.

I say to myself, “Hmmm…now where did that path go? I thought it was just here a moment ago. Poof! It’s gone! What happened?” Then the 360° begins as I start to turn slowly around in a circle. “That path must be here somewhere.”

Sitting comfortably among the promises above lies this intriguing verse:

“Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant,

that walks in darkness and has no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” (Isa. 50:10)

This verse says you can fear God and obey everyone and everything He asks, yet your journey will be in darkness! Essentially saying, “You are still on His path in pitch black surroundings!” I don’t like that.

Our human emotions tremble at the thought of walking in darkness for any length of time. Ever been caught outside after dark in the mountains? Not fun.

King David captures this idea in Psalm 139:11-12:

If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,”

even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are alike to Thee.

I know I limit how God is supposed to lead me—clear, easy, well lit path leading to the castle on the top of the hill (with crowds cheering at the top)!

In reality, light, darkness, mystery, clarity, uncertainty…are just a few of the millions of environments God uses to lead us on His path. All of His promises are fully activated in each situation. The important point is not to bail out on God if things aren’t going like we thought they should.

It might be that the darker, more mysterious path is just where God wants you to be right now. He is still leading you no matter what.

What type of path does God have you on?