The Turnstile

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction... But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life." (Matthew 7:13-14) Imagine a Turnstile at a subway station.

It is a narrow metal gate. It is designed to let one person through at a time. Now imagine you try to walk through it carrying five huge suitcases. You get stuck. The suitcases won't fit. You have a choice: Keep the suitcases and stay outside.

Drop the suitcases and walk through. Jesus says the way to life is Narrow . Many people hate this. They say, "God is mean! Why is the gate so small?" The gate is not small to keep you out. It is wide enough for you.

It is just too narrow for your Baggage . It is too narrow for your Pride. It is too narrow for your Unforgiveness. It is too narrow for your Secret Sin. You can take Jesus, or you can take your Baggage.

You cannot take both.

The "Broad Road" is easy because there are no luggage restrictions. You can bring anything you want—your crystals, your karma, your ego. The "Narrow Road" is hard because it requires Renunciation . The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10) tried to go through the Turnstile with his bags of money.

He got stuck. He walked away sad. He wanted the destination (Life), but he wouldn't pay the toll (Surrender). Reflect on this: What is getting stuck in the gate right now? What are you trying to drag into the Kingdom that doesn't fit?

Let it go. The other side is worth it. 👣 Take a Step Action: Drop the Bag. Visualize yourself standing at a narrow gate with Jesus on the other side. Visualize the "bag" you are holding (the relationship, the habit, the grudge).

Visualize yourself dropping it. Hear it hit the floor. Walk through.