“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14

 Runaways

I watched as my neighbor’s two dogs pushed open their screen door, and went running out their gate gleefully down the street. Having outsmarted their owners, who were not at home, they ran away, proud of their escape. I shook my head thinking, “Pets are like having furry preschoolers who never grow up and leave home.” I got in my car with doggie treats and went after them to coax them into my car. They were unknowingly headed for a dangerous and busy thoroughfare.

I remember feeling “free” while running away from God. I guess I thought I was getting away with something…until I hit the brick wall of despair. Now I watch young people doing the same thing, pushing the outside of the envelope, or trying to see how close to the edge they can walk without falling off the cliff. The edge is not a good place for them to be.

My prayer has always been for my children and grandchildren to stay in the narrowest part of the narrow path. My desire is for them to stay in the center, far away from the edges. The Bible records in Matthew 7 words spoken by Jesus that there are few that will find that narrow gate. Many are on the path they think is right, but it’s the wrong path. They have chosen the wide path instead of the Narrow Path. They are thinking like two dogs escaping and running down the road thinking they’re free when actually they are running to destruction.

I called to the dogs to come back. They turned, looked at me and kept running away. If only they knew what destruction was waiting for them around the corner. I called them until they could no longer hear my voice.

I am thankful that we can’t get out of hearing distance from the Lord when He calls to us, and from that still, small voice inside that we can hear if we will stop and listen. What is it that makes us run? Why is the world’s call to young people so strong? Why do our young people seek for answers in all the wrong places? All the answers are in God’s Word, but they’re not looking there for their answers.

Don’t wait until you no longer hear the voice inside you. Come back while you can still hear His voice in your head and heart.

Lord, my heart cries out to You to bring back all the prodigals. Keep calling them, Lord, loud and clear. Open the ears of their hearts to hear Your voice.