When it comes to who the greatest baseball player is in MLB right now, there is always debate.  That’s part of the fun.  But for me it is a cinch.  Albert Pujols.  First baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.  He’s not just the greatest because he’s on my fantasy baseball team (that’s part of it and I thank the Father every night for him…just kidding…okay, I really do).  He’s not just the greatest because he has the chance to become the first Triple Crown winner in years (for those of you out there whose eyes are glassing over, hang with me).  He’s the greatest because of the “way” he has chosen to play and live.  He’s chosen the way of Christ.  In a day when steroids are dropping would-be heros one-by-one, Albert has chosen (up until now, I grant you) a different way. The narrow way.  The way of the Master.

“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.”  Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

On Sunday I said that the wide gate equals “simply doing whatever I want to do.”  When we simply do whatever we want to do without the guidance of the Master, it leads to sin, dysfunction, unhealthy living, and, ultimately, destruction.    Have you ever witnessed someone’s life completely fall apart in front of you?  Maybe it was your own.  A spouse.  A family member.  A friend or co-worker.  Know this.  It was not a series of bad luck or unfortunate incidents or karma that caused their destructive lifestyle.  It was a choice to simply do whatever they (or we) wanted to do.  Another player, David Ortiz for the Boston Red Sox, now understands this principle.  At the beginning of last week a World Series hero.  At the end of the week, labeled as “another cheater.”  Steroids.  That’s where the wide gate and the broad road will lead you.

However, the good news (and there is always good news when it comes to Jesus) is that the alternative brings life.  The narrow gate equals “obedience.”  It is amazing how when we obey the commands of Jesus and live His way, that our lives are characterized by health, generosity, joy, peace, selflessness, power…life.  It is no wonder that Jesus admonished his hearers (and us in 2009) to “enter through the narrow gate!”.

Two ways.  Which one will you choose today?