Day 1 - Choose the Narrow Gate

In our culture, we’re trained to believe that the more options we have, the better off we are. Multiple career paths, diet plans, philosophies of happiness, and even religious systems. But when it comes to life with God, Jesus makes a startling claim: He is the only way.

This exclusive claim isn’t about exclusion—it’s about truth. Not all paths lead to the same destination. Jesus lovingly reveals that there are two roads in life: one broad, popular, and easy—but it leads to destruction. The other is narrow, difficult, and often countercultural—but it leads to life.

Choosing the narrow gate means following Jesus even when it’s inconvenient. It’s forgiving when revenge feels better. It’s telling the truth when a lie would protect you. It’s saying “no” to temptation when no one would find out. It’s living by faith when fear screams louder. It’s trusting Jesus even when life doesn’t make sense.

Jesus isn’t calling us to perfection—He’s calling us to direction. A daily decision to follow Him, one step at a time, through the narrow gate that leads to life.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what areas of your life are you tempted to take the easy or popular route instead of the faithful one?

2. Have you been making decisions based on comfort or conviction?

3. Are there any “wide gate” habits you need to surrender today?

Application: Identify one area of compromise. Write down one situation where you’ve been choosing comfort over Christ. Pray over it and ask the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom to shift your direction.