It’s easy to get lost on our spiritual journey, especially when we are carrying the weight of past pain and trauma. The world,with all of its noises and distractions, promises a wider and easier path. I used to find myself looking left and right, comparing my brokenness to the seemingly whole lives of others. But the path I called to walk is called the narrow way for a reason. It’s a path that requires focus, not fear.
When I learned to keep my eyes fixed on Christ, something incredible happened. The narrow way, which once felt so suffocating, becomes a sanctuary. The walls that seem to be closing in were not a prison; they’re the protective embrace of the Lord, shielding me from the chaos and dangers of the world that caused me so much harm. This is the comfort of the narrow way….it’s not about the restriction, but about the safety.
As Hebrews 12:2 tells us, we should be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” He is the one who began this journey within us, and He is the only one who can truly heal our deepest wounds. Our job is to keep our heads up and our hearts fixed on Him, especially in moments when the memories of our past feel overwhelming. Jesus Himself reminds us in Matthew 7:14 that the gate is “strait” and the way is “narrow,” and “few there be that find it.” This is not a path for the distracted or the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to lay their burdens at His feet.
Your assignment from God is unique to you. Don’t waste time worrying about who else is on the road or what their journey looks like. Your past is a part of your story, but it does not define your future. Your strength comes from keeping your eyes on Christ and the promises He has made to you. His promises of healing, restoration, and new life.
The narrow way won’t feel like a prison or a cage. Instead, it will feel like the protective arms of a loving God, guiding you home and shielding you from the very things that once threatened to break you. As Proverbs 4:25-27 wisely advises: “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
Keep moving forward, a little bit every day. Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead. This is not a path of claustrophobia, but a path of peace. It’s the embrace of a loving God who is guiding you home.