The straits and the narrow way

Melissa C. Pointer

Examples   God has given us parables, analogies, and other examples to increase our understanding  Even still it takes the Holy Spirit to open our mind so that we can clearly see  For others this moment can occur quietly and others may need a physical sign

Myself   I started as a person that has an objective mind  I needed to see, hear, touch, smell or taste  Which is why I gravitated towards science

 But I had to have an experience  To clarify my understanding and to begin my connection that would cement my link to God

In my life   Sometimes I see something and then I can relate it spiritually  For example when I learned about human anatomy and physiology  I was floored by the magnificence of God

 Because I work in a garden  I now understand the parable of the sower and the seed on a new level

On Vacation   I was astounded by the beauty of what was created on the 3rd day

Napali Coast   I began to understand the straits and the narrow way  In a clearer form

Napali Coast Trail   This is a 11 mile trail one way  Has one of the top strenuous ratings  It educated me about the things God has given so that we need to walk the strait and narrow way     

Proper foot gear The use of a staff (walking stick) Water Persistence and Endurance Compass

What is a strait   It is a place of distress, perplexity, restriction, and difficulty  The way to salvation has straits in it  Think of it as places that the footing can be tricky

Our Wisdom vs True Wisdom

  Did we come with the right gear?  Napali taught me that your feet have to be protected  In order for me to make it from the trail head to mile 7  My feet had to be functioning  Flipflops were not acceptable and would lead to injury

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Walking in the Straits   Spiritually we need to have the best gear in order to walk ina the strait and narrow  Having the spiritual flipflops could lead to injury or death

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Straits   God told us that our feet needed to be shod (to wear protective covering for the feet)  With the preparation of the gospel of peace  The gospel is glad tidings of salvation  Adhering to the Word of God will help us with that tricking footing and keep us from slipping and falling to our deaths

Strait and narrow   This Journey wears not only on your feet but your knees, heart, lungs, eyes and mind  All are needed for survival  I realized quickly that I had to focus on the task at hand  Each step mattered  The moment I was distracted I would trip on a rock or a root

Distractions   There are so many distractions to take away your focus  We have to remember that any time that this road can transform from

  Yes it looks pretty but those rocks are very sharp  It can shred poorly made shoes easily  And the skin on our hands, face, arms, knees are no match for it!

The Staff   I learned from a previous experience in the Smokies that walking sticks are necessary  The staff is a symbol of Christ  A good walking stick will support your weight and keep you upright  It will help you stay balanced in precarious situations and stabilize you when you are walking down hill  It will also enable you to walk up hill without exhausting yourself  A bad staff will give out when you need it most !

The Staff   When we lean upon God…he does not give out  He will support us in a way that nothing else can  He will help move up the steepest incline and we will still be able to stay up right  We be able to descend without falling to our deaths

Weather Issues   The sun itself can exhaust you on your travels  Trust me it does!!

 Its like a cruel affliction or burden that takes so much out of you that it is difficult to move

Weather Issues/Afflictions

  You begin to think thoughts you would never think of before  Like stealing someone’s water  I really need to pay my bills (should I work on the Sabbath??)

 You feel capable of doing things you would never do before  Like drink water from strangers (I’ll travel 200 miles to work in a small town in the middle of no where in inclement weather to pay my bills)

The test   Will you steal water or will you humbly ask for water  Will you let your fear lead you and you break the Sabbath or will you let God lead you??

Giving up/giving out   The trek may seem so enormous or precarious at times

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Persistence   How can you keep going?  You have to remember your goal (the Promise of God)  This is not the time for doubt (doubt can kill)  Take it one step at a time  God may come in 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years, 30 years  We have to keep walking and knowing each step takes us closer to him

The journey   I was floored at how much my body could endure  How much ground my feet could travel  I was astounded by what I saw

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  I think about some of the things I’ve gone through in life  It is still hard to believe what I was able to get through and not break into little pieces  Things that changed me and will help be the person God the Father intended me to be  I am not alone…everyone has experience that seems unbelievable

God made the way   We didn’t do it by our might  Brilliance, talent or luck  God was with us  He was our staff, rock

He’s the reason   We didn’t fall off  We weren’t swept away by the quick moving stream  We didn’t go insane when the sun beamed upon us  Fear could not make us its prisoner  We could do all things in Jesus who strengthen us

If we just   Trust in the Lord  Do what he tells us to do when he tells us to do it  Arm ourselves and feed on his word as he commanded  Even when we are bruised (for he said our feet would be bruised)  We will still be able to walk through that narrow gate  Receive a crown of life