Cow Gate

“Enter through the narrow gate.” Matt 7:13

 

Here, in rural Nebraska, we are all familiar with pasture gates. Some may be made of pipe steel, others just out of barbed wire, and in former times, many were wooden. But their purpose is to allow entry from one pasture or field to another and to regulate who comes in and who goes out.

Along a narrow country lane in a small English village hangs an old wooden gate that adjoins a cow pasture. For my wife and I this gate is no insignificant gate but marks the spot where our lives were forever changed. It was at this gate, 30 years ago this year, that I proposed to her and we entered into a commitment before God that led to us being married five months later in Wheaton, Illinois. The cow gate on Church Lane will forever signify the joy of entering a marvelous new life experience and a relationship that has brought such blessing.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks of the new law of the Gospel as involving a choice between two ways to live. It reminds us of Moses beckoning the Israelites to choose between life/good and death/evil.  In summary, the secret of life is seen as following one of two paths. It is as simple as that! God uses the picture image of a road and a gate to illustrate this truth. There is a wide road and a wide gate and a narrow road and a narrow gate. One is comfortable and easy but leads to death, the other involves suffering and sacrifice and is hard but leads to life. Evidence that we are on this good road will be marked by a life of love – for God and for people – paved in holiness.

In Lent we prayerfully reflect on the brevity of life and the choices we make every day either to signify our allegiance to the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of this world. Ask God to search your priorities and re-orient your steps if necessary. Remember that just one degree off course may not seem significant but if pursued for long enough will lead us a long way from our desired destination. Life is a love story of epic proportions. Know the right gate to enter and proceed on the “highway of holiness” (Is 35.8).