I was watching a video of a rugby try being scored. The player who scored the try simply ran through and over everyone who was in front of him, like a bulldozer. It was as if his opponents just didn’t exist in his mind. He crashed through towards his goal and didn’t allow anyone to stop him. It was so powerful and I must say I am extremely glad that I don’t play any contact sport. A goal in rugby is a big achievement because it helps your team win. You are the hero for about 10 seconds and if you score enough goals your reputation will go before you and you will earn respect in the sporting community.
We have to be like that rugby player when it comes to our faith. The opposition, the enemy must look like mere irritations in our minds. Our goal must be foremost in our thinking. Our driving force, our inspiration should be the love of Jesus. The difference between scoring tries in rugby and having unshakable faith is that you don’t have faith to gain fame. Often the road of faith is a very lonely road. If you want to follow Jesus you have to choose the road less travelled.
Matthew 7:13-14, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in by it: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV)
One of the meaning of the word ‘strait’ is: (of a place) of limited spatial capacity; narrow or cramped.
We cannot take the easy way if we want to follow Jesus. It isn’t always easy to see that people who aren’t Christians are having a seemingly easy life even though they are doing all kinds of things that aren’t right in our estimation. We are trying to do things properly and we are trying to stick to the rules and we get battered by every wave in the area. At least that’s how it feels a lot of the time. We have to persevere though. We cannot just give up because it looks like others are leading the perfect life. God has not forgotten about us. How do I know this? Because He says so in His Word.
Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
And we have a testimony to lean on, to go back to, to recall during tough times. Each one of us can tell of things that have happened during our walk with the Lord when He came through for us. When we were healed, when He provided finance, when He did something supernatural. It’s so easy to forget when times are tough.
But just think about this; If God never allowed us to go through difficulties we wouldn’t need faith. We wouldn’t need to lean on and rely on Him. We would think that we were absolutely perfect and that everything we touch works because of our own brilliance. You know people like that. People who are so confident of their own abilities and intellect that arrogance oozes out of every pore. You really don’t want to be like that, do you?
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
So choose to stay on the narrow path regardless of your circumstances and God is going to come through for you. You can be confident of that. Just keep trusting Him. You won’t be disappointed. You might not score any tries and become famous but you will be spending eternity with Jesus and that’s way better.
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