Kenya 2013: Concerning rain, umbrellas, and narrow gates.

Woke up this morning to rain. Lots of it. And it kept coming through breakfast. As I prepared to walk to class, I noticed an umbrella in the kitchen, tucked away and unused for some time. So I dusted it off, walked out the front door, popped the umbrella open, and then headed into the rain. As I left the guest house area, I came to a gate, which is intended to protect us. The gate itself is able to open for a car and is certainly large enough for anyone to pass through. But on this morning, with the rain pouring down, and with me being in a hurry, I was faced with a decision. You see, the umbrella opened was not going to fit through the gate. I could either hold the  umbrella, sheltered from the rain, and sit in front of the gate and wait. Wait for the larger gate to open. Wait for the rain to stop. Waiting, safe and dry.

Or I could fold the umbrella, risk the rain, and press on.

There was little question what I would do. I folded the umbrella, let the rain dampen my shirt, jacket, tie, and pants, and press on to my commitments. Wet. Colder. Living life with others around me in the same shape: wet, walking, and enjoying even the rain.

But how many times do I wait in life, holding my safety umbrella, waiting for a larger gate to open—one that will not ask me to risk my comfort or safety?

Jesus touches on this idea in Matthew 7:13-14 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. Also, I think of Jesus and the rich young ruler in Luke 18:24-25: Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (a small gate) than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Truly, in order for someone to enter a narrow way or a small gate, they must leave behind all baggage and come through as they are.  This is why God uses small gates sometimes.  To remind us that some baggage is temporary and meant to be left behind at times.  Remember, if God says it is big enough for us to go through, then we press on through the narrow gates--so that we may experience the life on the other side, with all its joys and sorrows, even it means taking a risk and getting a little wet.