Hurrying Towards Gate ‘H’

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Have you ever had the stressful experience of rushing to catch a connecting flight ?

A few years ago, a friend and I were on a flight from Venice to Rome that was greatly behind schedule. When we finally arrived in Rome , we had only about 20 minutes to catch a connecting flight to Toronto. We ‘assertively’ manoeuvred through the chaotic throngs of people at the airport , and got our boarding passes. We needed to get to ‘Gate H’, and quickly !

We worked as a team , concentrating on our urgent need to find that gate ! Our focus was intense, we refused to be distracted, and we arrived at ‘Gate H’ just in time for take-off to Toronto.

Later, we chuckled about the urgency we felt. For us, ‘Gate H’ , was symbolic of the entrance to heaven. As Christians, we need to stay intensely focused on reaching the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Jesus describes it carefully in Matthew 7:13, saying that the gate is narrow, and few find it. We will not arrive there safely if we allow the noise and nonsense of the world to distract and discourage us.

Let us stay focused on God, and helping our neighbour. The journey to our eternal home is not at all a commitment of one hour per Sunday, as our ‘obligation’, to God, but rather it is an adventure of much joy and peace, and a full-time commitment of staying obedient to the Lord, and trusting Him, as we journey towards eternity. God expects us to encourage and strengthen our brothers and sisters along the way.

In the words of St. Catherine of Siena, whose home we visited in Italy : ‘All the way to heaven is heaven. ‘

Published by sallyball8323

I am a retired Sociologist/Educator from Ontario. I now live at the very edge of the North American Continent. I spend my time in contemplation, spiritual reading , intercessory prayer, and maintaining a spiritual garden grotto as a place of prayer in my backyard by the Atlantic.

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36 thoughts on “Hurrying Towards Gate ‘H’”

    2. Yes, God loves everyone, but not all roads lead to heaven, as Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13-!4, and I believe Him. God’s love may be unconditional, like a parent’s love for a child, but just as a child makes choices that can determine where his life is going, our choices regarding Jesus determine our destiny. Please check out John 3, especially verse 18. I would hate to see you arrive at the wrong “Gate H.”

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      1. Well. , I think that all religions are ways for people to find enlightenment and liberation or peace , love and joy but every religion claims to be the best and the only way …
        Some say religions are ways to control the masses of people to scare them …

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    3. And Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I’m sorry you believe He was lying. I’m just saying believe He was telling the truth. My life has been way better than I deserve because of Him, and though I’d love to see you be as blessed as I am, I have no desire to control you or anyone.

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      2. All religions say that they are the best …
        We have a saying in Arabic that says even if you have faith in the stone , you shall be relieved .Ψ’Ω…Ω† Ψ¨Ψ§Ω„Ψ­Ψ¬Ψ± ΨͺΨ¨Ψ±Ψ¦

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      4. Good . But take into consideration thAt the informal or spoken Arabic has so many different dialects because it is spoken by almost 300 or 350 millions in North Africa and the Middle East ( West Asia)…

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      5. Yes, I have been trying to learn standard Arabic. It is excellent that you are fluid in English and Arabic. I am trying to learn the Arabic alphabet but it is slow progress, but an excellent exercise for the brain. 😊

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      7. That is excellent ! I also speak French. Canada is a bilingual country. French and English. And I have learned a bit of German. Being multilingual is excellent in reminding us that we live in a global community. A member of my immediate family is of a different religious faith than I am, and I respect that. We are all members of the Human family. πŸ€—

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      8. This is why I say and feel that looking at different religions and philosophical schools is better …Arabic is the language of The Kora’an …
        We have in Lebanon both Christianity and Islam coexisting together .

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  5. Yes Sally we do, but so many do not and will be LOST in worse than the Twilight Zone if they don’t get the act together and pronto, time is a wasting and running out faster than we think! And as you pointed out in your lovely and wise Blog Hurrying to Gate H there are so many distractions and ways of fouling up and missing the GATE altogether and that is a FACT! If you haven’t yet check out my comment to your Blog! I think we are on the same page today for sure!
    God Bless You and Yours! πŸ€—

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence for your kind, encouraging words. Yes, Jesus is very specific about that gate, and it is narrow. And we are right to warn others not to get lost in the world. I keep a guard over my eyes and don’t watch T.V. or movies. It keeps me focused on the truth and beauty of Christ. Right now there is a beautiful sunset here, and the waves are making a whooshing sound.
      Jesus asks us to stay focused now, as things are unfolding exactly as he said they would. When I was in Israel, I looked out over the field of Megido, where the final battle of Armageddon will occur.
      Let us stay joyful. God is in control. Let us not allow our hearts to be troubled. Blessings to you as well. πŸ€—

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      1. You’re welcome Sally and Thank You! So perfect to me how you are aware of the pollution that clogs minds, hearts and souls with things contrary to our mission here while we have a chance at attaining eternal life, if we abide in Him and follow his word to us and don’t relent! You’re not watching TV and absorbing yourself with things of the man-made world is very wise and mindful of you because I actually wasn’t mindful of this trap for so long letting myself be a part of the propaganda and manipulation that occurs daily in the mass media and entertainment industries that have become a vast tool of the devil. It’s gotten worse in just the last decade or so with so much loose and wayward mind-sets being propagated, feeding the public junk and diverting many from the path of righteousness and God’s Glory. So many people these days are so used to this chaotic jungle of the digital age and almost anything goes that they have been poisoned with powerful venom and are subdued and even paralyzed in a sense with mindlessness and empty hearts having no desire to know their Creator and Father in Heaven. In a sense they are wasted lives and perhaps only now serve as a tool to those of us who see them for what they are and what they have lost, so we will be more mindful and vigilant to not lose sight of our mission here to do God’s will at all cost. I remember an old saying growing up that “An Idle Mind is the Devils Playground” and also I remember that “Television is a Vast Wasteland.” I never fully appreciated those too ideas until later years and now I’ve fortunately awakened to the reality of them and have witnessed just how toxic and alluring they are; pulling many into perdition and doom. What you gave as an example of how you spend quiet time is wonderful in watching and listening to God all around you in His magnificent creation; as you watch and hear the waves or the sunset as it sinks into the horizon bringing another day to a close as it has for ages! You’re doing it exactly right staying focused on the beauty of Christ Jesus! Then too your sharp perspective of Megiddo from actual experience is very telling of your desire to seek God’s truth and promise as you have tried your best it appears to be a true humble servant of the Lord Jesus. It’s very moving to me that you align yourself with him as you have and do, which serves as a beautiful example and encouragement for others including me to do the same! And you’re also right that we should not be troubled by even the worst of possible fates for this world that is passing away, because:
        Romans 8:1-39 – β€œ[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
        John 14:26 – β€œBut the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
        John 14:1-31 – β€œLet not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.”
        1 John 4:4 – β€œYou are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
        John 14:16-17 β€œAnd I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but you know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
        John 16:8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;”
        John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
        Yes Sally, I think these verses are very much to the heart of our Blogging today and as you said earlier, β€œIf God is for us, who can be against us ? In Christ, we have the victory.” Perfect! Thank You and God Bless!
        Lawrence

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      2. Thank-you Lawrence, for the kind words of encouragement. Those are excellent scriptures to remind us to keep focused on the Lord, and to keep encouraging our brothers and sisters, because discouragement is one of the old enemy’s favourite tools against us. God bless you. πŸ€—

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  6. I like the analogy, yes we have to stay committed and focused and not let the noise of the world around you distract you. And yes, it is a life long journey not a 1 hr commitment on Sunday.
    Was wondering if you found any church to call home yet?

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    1. Hi ! Thank you so much for asking. I thought we had found a church, but when the minister announced that the next weekend there would be a wedding of two ladies, I knew that was not the right church. I feel most comfortable in the Baptist Church, but there are none in this area. So I am still searching. In the meantime, I am being sustained by the beautiful blogs, like yours, on WordPress. πŸ€—

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  8. β—‡ Diamond Hard; last time that happened to Me and I Ran Fast The Flight was Delayed and I Ended up with Three Economy Seats to MySelf on The Second Leg, felt like Business Class

    …β—‡β—‡β—‡…

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  9. Hi Sally. I love the analogy in this post. We should all work together as a team to keep us focus on staying on the narrow path. This statement is so true. Wonderful post. Beautiful picture of you.

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