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Today's Lenten Devotion
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The Road Less Traveled
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 the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
-- Matthew 7:13-14
I enjoy running the dirt farm roads and trails near Huber and Hartshorne Woods in Middletown. There are plenty of options you can choose as to how far you will go, and how hilly and rugged the course will be. When I run alone, and become fatigued, I often wimp out and choose the short-cuts, or flatter more open trails and roads. When my friends Marty & Katy are with me, they shame me into doing the extra mile, often up a steeper hill, or rougher trail. They remind me that this will make me become stronger and better prepared for a race.
The same is true for my spiritual life. The company I keep can either lead me astray, or encourage me to choose the path that might be less pleasant for me at the time, but is the right one to follow. Satan tempts us everyday with "easy choices". Cheat on the test, or your taxes, who will know? Studying is so hard, and so many others don't pay their share of taxes. Jump right into that conversation of malicious gossip – everybody else is. Don't confront your friend who you know is overindulging in alcohol. You’ll sound like a nag, and he might get mad at you.
The path of least resistance is most often not the path Jesus asks us to take. I rely on Jesus, my trusted family & friends, and many of you at Holy Trinity, to shine the light on the narrow road, and help me struggle toward the narrow gate.
Scripture is full of verses that remind us how difficult it can be to stay out of trouble, and find our way home to God. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom." "Not everyone who cries, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom, but only those who do the will of my Father." Yet, we have been saved by Jesus, and he has promised us the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us. Jesus shines the light on the right path, as long as we are willing to keep our eyes open, and follow it.
Lord, give us the wisdom to recognize the evil one and resist temptation. We pray for the strength to choose the right path, and carry our crosses, as you have asked us to do. Bless those who will guide us, and protect us from those who draw us away from You. Amen.
Susan Ardito
seven7seas7@yahoo.com
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