Hard Roads
Sometimes the right path is hard to find.
"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. "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 7:7-14
Having spent time with people who have journeyed through life facing and dealing with all types of hardships, I wonder if that type of life is what Jesus is talking about when he speaks of the narrow gate.
If we ask God for help, does he show us the easy road or the rough one?
It could be the rough one is the better path, and we may not recognize it as such at the time.
I believe we don't really start to grow and blossom in life until we experience some difficulty, whether that be pain or loss of trouble, either self inflicted or from outside. That doesn't mean that is how God tests us or teaches us, but I do think God helps us use the bad to bring good.
This life is hard for most of us, some more so than others, but we all have the potential to see that the path leads to good for us and others. And maybe those who have had an easy road will face bumps and dangers a bit farther down, while others have passed those pitfalls and now find smooth sailing.
Our Father will always give us what is good. It just doesn't always come in an obvious package.
More to come...