Recently the Lord has focused my attention on a very familiar passage. Before I mention it let me share some introductory thoughts. First of all, I am constantly amazed at how Jesus' teaching is so simple and concise and yet extremely profound.

Each day I determine how I will approach living out my faith. Put simply, it is as though I daily stand at an intersection with two options. One is very flexible, not demanding and most people prefer it. The other way is very selective on who can enter, offers hard situations and only a few choose it. Initially it sounds like an easy decision. Now with that in mind, consider what Jesus says in

Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV): Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Hmm, destruction or life- the outcome changes everything.

When I was a young believer a wise man shared with me something I have never forgotten. He said, "Jay, if you are being blessed without suffering it is because somebody suffered before you. If you are suffering without blessing it is so somebody can be blessed after you."

-Jay Letey