By Pam Otto
“Matthew 7:13-20”
So many choices.
Should I sleep in or work out?
Iced coffee or hot tea?
Comfy T-Shirt or nice sweater?
Salad or burger?
Devo. time early or late?
Should I move or stay?
This job or that one?
Each day brings countless decisions—some insignificant, like choosing between iced coffee or hot tea, and others difficult and life-changing, such as career moves or major life transitions.
I am so grateful that God cares deeply about every aspect of our lives and offers meaningful wisdom when we lean into His truths. In Matthew 7:13-14, we are reminded to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
God has given us the gift and freedom of choice. Will we enter through the narrow gate and walk the path that leads to life, or choose the broad road that leads to destruction?
I memorized these verses as a teen and found it deeply convicting, as I often found myself needing to "re-route" after making some poor choices.
Going further in this passage, verses 17 and 20 explain that "every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" and "by their fruit you will recognize them."
Have you ever reflected on whether your daily choices were producing good fruit? Did you choose the narrow gate? Jesus’ words are clear: if we walk close to Him by choosing the narrow path, we will bear fruit. Done! What a promise! This closeness to Jesus will be characterized by genuine faith, sacrificial love, and obedience to God.
While sometimes I still find myself choosing the wide road by living selfishly, chasing worldly desires or following the crowd, I am reminded that the choice is ultimately ours to make- every. single. day.
May we be women who walk so close to God that we need a basket to collect all the fruit produced in our lives!
Matt. 7:13-20 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”