Imposters

I was learning to tie my shoes at the ripe age of 4. My family lived on site of a summer camp and the space was our domain. Being right on the lake provided several fun opportunities, the best being boating, of course. After one dinner at the camp, I unfortunately stepped on a shoelace of mine and undone the hours of hard work I had done to get that structurally questionable bow. My dad noticing a teaching opportunity said that IF I tied my own shoe, we’d go on a boat ride after dinner. All I heard was boat ride. I had no desire learn a lesson. I enlisted the help of a poor, unknowing camp staff to tie my shoe for me, which they were more than happy to oblige. I ensured that they did so out of view of my dad. Proudly, I strutted back unusually faster than a 4-year-old would do in the heat of learning how to tie one’s shoe. After showing I was ready for my boat ride, dad called my bluff. He investigated. Then discovered the true source of my perfectly, clearly not done by a four-year-old, tied shoe and consequentially, no boat ride. The path of least resistance is the way we want to go to get what we want but not the way we should go. That certainly is true of the kingdom of heaven. But how do we know? Because the fruit of the kingdom comes from traversing the narrow gate, the difficult way. And Jesus’ conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount makes that point very clear. Let’s dive into it this weekend. I’ll wear boots so I don’t have to tie my shoes.