A story is told of a five hour planning meeting that was held for the launch of the Titanic. In the meeting, they concerned themselves with interior decorations for the first four hours and forty five minutes. The remaining fifteen minutes they talked about the number and placement of the lifeboats. In life we often concern ourselves with creature comforts and all kinds of decorative items, simply for our own pleasure or to keep up with our neighbors. When all these things are taken away, or we face the real difficulties of life, we find that our emphasis has been all wrong.

Jesus said, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). The word ‘strive’ is the Greek word from which we get our English word ‘agonize’. It is used sometimes of those who compete in an athletic contest, or someone who seeks to obtain something of great value. Are we listening? The door is too narrow for us and our cherished sins, too narrow for us and our stubborn pride, too narrow for us and our worldliness. What should one seek and strive for in this life? Are we putting our emphasis in the right place?

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