During a recent business trip we took by train to New York, a friend and I found ourselves meandering through the maze of humanity in Penn Station looking for a connection to our final destination on Long Island. It was a long day. The alarm went off at 3:30 in the morning to catch an Amtrak train at 5:20 that would eventually get us to Huntington around 11:00. Brilliant, right?
While dodging more people in one place than imaginable, we simultaneously had the same thought. Among the thousands of people we brushed elbows with how many actually knew Jesus? Statistically speaking, I suspect a minority of them. Matthew, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, explains. “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) I can’t tell you how disheartening that was for me at that moment.
This sea of humanity was going somewhere fast and on a mission. Likely not the mission they were created to explore. I can say that with confidence since the vast majority of my youth was chasing a dream that I created aligned perfectly with how the world defines success. I knew Jesus, but I had my plans for how life would play out under my control.
My prayer for anyone caught in this maze of humanity is to slow down and seek wisdom. But seek first Jesus and His saving grace. Then you’ll be more apt to gain perspective on what your relationship with Him, and with others, should truly look like. From there the mission will be much clearer.
And that’s the Memo.
Steve
