Bow Your Head Beneath the Door Jamb

“Strive to enter through the narrow door.” – Luke 13:24

I’ve got a lot on my hands. I’ve got the annoying science that lets me question everything from “in the beginning” to the second coming. I’ve got philosophical problems that cause me to challenge God’s supposed “goodness.” I’ve got contemporary sensitivities that make me worry about adhering to one religion at the expense of all the others.

A thinking faith is necessary. But carrying all this confusion is exhausting.

All the while, Jesus remains a narrow door. I try to burst through, hands full. I can’t fit. I scrape my face. It hurts. There is simply no way I can carry all of this skepticism and fit myself through at the same time.

We have to winnow ourselves to get through the narrow door. I have to humble myself. I have to bow my head to fit beneath the door jamb. I have to surrender. I have to set down the conviction that my doubt and questions are precious or normative, or even all that important.

Every time I do, every time I squeeze through, I arrive at a broad and spacious place I could never find on my own.

It’s beautiful on the other side. Come and see. Drop your doubt. Just set it down. Christ might remain a tight squeeze, but you’ll be amazed at what you find the moment you wriggle through. 

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for making us prioritize. 

ddauthormattfitzgerald.jpgAbout the Author
Matt Fitzgerald is the Senior Pastor of St. Pauls United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is the host of “Preachers on Preaching,” a weekly podcast sponsored by The Christian Century.