A piece of wood can serve as firewood. Or, in the hands of a talented sculptor, it can become a beautiful statue. If that wooden block had consciousness, it would probably refuse to submit itself to the chisel of the sculptor. But it is precisely all that chipping with the chisel that transforms it into a work of art.
A lump of clay, if aware, would probably also refuse to be mashed, beaten, molded and shaped by the potter. It would definitely refuse being fired in the oven. But without all the beating and the fire of the furnace, the lump of clay would never be transformed into a lovely vessel admired and prized by people.
I imagine myself in the comfort and safety of my mother’s womb. if I had my way then, I would probably stayed on their forever: no problems and no worries, everything I needed delivered directly to me by the umbilical cord that attached me to my mother. But I had to be violently expelled for staying any longer than I should would have meant the end of life for me and my mother.
And so it is in the journey of life. The road to salvation is paved with struggles and its gate is narrow. Few people take it if they had a choice. The path of least resistance on the other hand is crowded and is paved with good intentions. But it often leads to the other place. I choose to take the narrow gate. I surrender myself like a piece of wood to the Divine Sculptor and allow him to make of my life a wonderful sculpture. I submit myself like a lump of clay to the hands of the Divine Potter, chiseling and all, and allow him to transform me into a beautiful vessel.
The Lord is faithful in all his words.
~ Psalm 145
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.”
Luke 13:22-30