When we were on the Greenbrier River, in WV, a few days ago, my son spent a lot of time tubing down a certain part of the river. There were 2 paths. Both were fast, but no matter which path he chose, he had to walk up against the current. He would walk up the one that was slightly more shallow, and then he rode back down on the faster current.
I was reading 2 Cor. 10:3-5 this morning, in the CEV, which says, “We live in this world; but we don’t act like its people or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God.”
Is that what we’re doing right now? Those kind of words are what we do when we’re walking against the current, not comfortably riding down on the faster current.
I’m reminded of Eph. 6:18, which says, “Never stop praying especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.” Our weapons are not of this world. We are to destroy arguments, not start or continue them, and we are never to stop praying for others.
We are also to destroy every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Isn’t that more important than being right? Oh, God, help us! Forgive us. Be merciful, one more time, and help us, so that we can lead others to you while it is still today.
“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that few people find it.” Mt. 7:13-14
Lord, help us not give up, and go through the wide gate now. The current gets so strong sometimes, and we find ourselves struggling to fight to go Your way. This verse is such a strong reminder of that truth, and how relevant it is in our world right now. But Lord, we don’t want to take someone else through the wide gate with us. Better to tarry, and struggle through the current to get through the narrow gate to You, and bring others with us, than to give up and drag others along, too.
Help us to act like Your people, fighting in the Spirit, and praying always. Convict us when we are prideful, reminding us that Jesus died for all of the world, not just us, and that not even we are worthy outside of His blood and Your grace. Thank You for the gifts of grace and forgiveness. Help us to offer the same to those around us, and to tell them the good news of Your great love.
Follow Him,
jamie
considering the word 