Isn’t it weird to think no matter how much we think on the meaning to life, we still can’t quite work it out? We know the things that don’t satisfy and for most of us it’s almost all of our experience of life; things that don’t satisfy. The things that are supposed to be satisfying and fulfilling simply don’t cut it, or are just plain hard work. We can’t see the sense in them half the time.
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As people, we’re constantly trying new and different things to find the key to success and happiness; we often think that we’ll achieve it if we climb the corporate ladder or make the higher sports team or get friendly with a certain ‘click.’ We keep searching in the hope of satisfying ourselves and others who might rely on us. It’s innate.
As people, we’re constantly trying new and different things to find the key to success and happiness; we often think that we’ll achieve it if we climb the corporate ladder or make the higher sports team or get friendly with a certain ‘click.’ We keep searching in the hope of satisfying ourselves and others who might rely on us. It’s innate.
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Some get to a point of trying so hard to do this they burn out. They push beyond their reasonable ‘safe load limit,’ selling out on sleep and eating properly and exercise, all in order to meet unreasonable expectations and flawed goals. They get trapped by their commitments knowing all along the castle that is their lives could crumble and fall at any time. It’s folly and unsustainable behaviour.
Some get to a point of trying so hard to do this they burn out. They push beyond their reasonable ‘safe load limit,’ selling out on sleep and eating properly and exercise, all in order to meet unreasonable expectations and flawed goals. They get trapped by their commitments knowing all along the castle that is their lives could crumble and fall at any time. It’s folly and unsustainable behaviour.
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There has to be a better way. But the better way appears so elusive. How do others get the balance right? How do others balance family responsibilities with work, with leisure, and personal development? And there are more demands – this is simply the start. How do others pay their exorbitant mortgage, and feel free at the same time?
There has to be a better way. But the better way appears so elusive. How do others get the balance right? How do others balance family responsibilities with work, with leisure, and personal development? And there are more demands – this is simply the start. How do others pay their exorbitant mortgage, and feel free at the same time?
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I don’t claim to know the answers, but what I do know it this: Life is about finding the ‘narrow way.’ It’s about finding the right balance. Being the ‘narrow way’ implies it is not easy to live. Finding balance is also not easy, and it was never actually meant to be easy. But it is attainable. It has to be! There must be a way to achieve reasonably whilst attaining life balance. It takes a continual commitment to live a courageous and disciplined life.
I don’t claim to know the answers, but what I do know it this: Life is about finding the ‘narrow way.’ It’s about finding the right balance. Being the ‘narrow way’ implies it is not easy to live. Finding balance is also not easy, and it was never actually meant to be easy. But it is attainable. It has to be! There must be a way to achieve reasonably whilst attaining life balance. It takes a continual commitment to live a courageous and disciplined life.
s
The most famous and most influential person to have ever walked the earth highlighted the “two ways of life”:
The most famous and most influential person to have ever walked the earth highlighted the “two ways of life”:
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“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few that find it.”[1]
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few that find it.”[1]
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This person, Jesus, succinctly gave us the paradox of life, which is also the way to life: if you want to come first, choose last. It is the choice to give by serving, over taking and ‘being served.’
This person, Jesus, succinctly gave us the paradox of life, which is also the way to life: if you want to come first, choose last. It is the choice to give by serving, over taking and ‘being served.’
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The point at which the narrow and wide ways intersect harkens us to a decision. How are we going to live our lives? Will we simply live as the mood takes us? Or are we living deliberately and to a plan – a method of living that requires daily vigilance and maintenance, a method where there is accountability for personal growth through the lifespan? Will we be predominantly a ‘giver’ or a ‘taker’ in life?
The point at which the narrow and wide ways intersect harkens us to a decision. How are we going to live our lives? Will we simply live as the mood takes us? Or are we living deliberately and to a plan – a method of living that requires daily vigilance and maintenance, a method where there is accountability for personal growth through the lifespan? Will we be predominantly a ‘giver’ or a ‘taker’ in life?
s
The wide gate and the road that is easy is the one most take in life; it’s not the right way, but still most take it. The way most do not go is life through the narrow gate and the road that’s hard. This involves loneliness, suffering, and courage, but reveals life that God predestined for us to have. This is the spiritual life. There are not even very many Christians or people professing other faiths who live this life genuinely. It’s about a life of continual repentance or a turning back to God.
The wide gate and the road that is easy is the one most take in life; it’s not the right way, but still most take it. The way most do not go is life through the narrow gate and the road that’s hard. This involves loneliness, suffering, and courage, but reveals life that God predestined for us to have. This is the spiritual life. There are not even very many Christians or people professing other faiths who live this life genuinely. It’s about a life of continual repentance or a turning back to God.
s
Okay, so how does this fit with your life? This is how it could work:
Okay, so how does this fit with your life? This is how it could work:
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There is often a price we pay for promotion, for instance. For many promotions there is a requirement to put in more hours, and more responsibility is assumed. There might be less family time—and you will never get that time back. It depends what you’re called to and what legacy you wish to leave behind that was your life.
There is often a price we pay for promotion, for instance. For many promotions there is a requirement to put in more hours, and more responsibility is assumed. There might be less family time—and you will never get that time back. It depends what you’re called to and what legacy you wish to leave behind that was your life.
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There is often a price we pay for the people we associate with, and the time we spend. Some people are good for us and some aren’t. Some activities we engage in are good and some are bad.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better legacy to leave behind than that of a special, loving, and committed husband and father, and secondarily a good worker. But most of all I think I would like to be remembered as someone who actually got the balance of priorities in life right, most if not all his life.
There is often a price we pay for the people we associate with, and the time we spend. Some people are good for us and some aren’t. Some activities we engage in are good and some are bad.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better legacy to leave behind than that of a special, loving, and committed husband and father, and secondarily a good worker. But most of all I think I would like to be remembered as someone who actually got the balance of priorities in life right, most if not all his life.
s
To conclude, what separates us from the next nice and courteous person? It is a daily commitment to this ‘narrow way’ that provides life. Real life that few really experience. Why would you not want to experience it?
To conclude, what separates us from the next nice and courteous person? It is a daily commitment to this ‘narrow way’ that provides life. Real life that few really experience. Why would you not want to experience it?
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Perhaps Justin Langer puts the ‘narrow way’ best in his book Seeing the Sunrise:
Perhaps Justin Langer puts the ‘narrow way’ best in his book Seeing the Sunrise:
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It takes discipline and courage to look a man in the eyes rather than at his feet.
It takes discipline and courage to train when it is wet and cold.
It takes discipline and courage to tell the truth rather than lie.
It takes discipline and courage to keep focused on your dreams.
It takes discipline and courage to master the basics.
It takes discipline and courage to practise under pressure.
It takes discipline and courage to get out of bed early.
It takes discipline and courage to keep running when you are spent.
It takes discipline and courage to do the little things
It takes discipline and courage to watch your manners.
It takes discipline and courage to do an extra lap.
It takes discipline and courage to trust yourself.
It takes discipline and courage to guard against complacency.
It takes discipline and courage to be honest with yourself.
It takes discipline and courage to be the first on the training track.
It takes discipline and courage to choose right over wrong.
It takes discipline and courage to be on time.
It takes discipline and courage to fight back rather than quit.
It takes discipline and courage to stick to your game plan.
It takes discipline and courage to lead by example.
It takes discipline and courage to listen and learn.
It takes discipline and courage to say no.
It takes discipline and courage to make it to the top.[2]
It takes discipline and courage to look a man in the eyes rather than at his feet.
It takes discipline and courage to train when it is wet and cold.
It takes discipline and courage to tell the truth rather than lie.
It takes discipline and courage to keep focused on your dreams.
It takes discipline and courage to master the basics.
It takes discipline and courage to practise under pressure.
It takes discipline and courage to get out of bed early.
It takes discipline and courage to keep running when you are spent.
It takes discipline and courage to do the little things
It takes discipline and courage to watch your manners.
It takes discipline and courage to do an extra lap.
It takes discipline and courage to trust yourself.
It takes discipline and courage to guard against complacency.
It takes discipline and courage to be honest with yourself.
It takes discipline and courage to be the first on the training track.
It takes discipline and courage to choose right over wrong.
It takes discipline and courage to be on time.
It takes discipline and courage to fight back rather than quit.
It takes discipline and courage to stick to your game plan.
It takes discipline and courage to lead by example.
It takes discipline and courage to listen and learn.
It takes discipline and courage to say no.
It takes discipline and courage to make it to the top.[2]
s
Not everyone wants to be a successful athlete like Justin Langer, but his recipe for success is just as applicable for any field of pursuit. Be a successful human being by making a choice for the ‘narrow way.’
Not everyone wants to be a successful athlete like Justin Langer, but his recipe for success is just as applicable for any field of pursuit. Be a successful human being by making a choice for the ‘narrow way.’
s
© 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
© 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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