Today, it seems that God is inviting us to a race. We hear Jesus encouraging us to "strive to enter through the narrow door." Striving has always been a necessary part of our journey in order achieve our dreams. In a marathon, some run for the medal and money, while others for the finishing line. St Paul himself wrote in 2 Tim 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight and I have finished the race." Dedication and hard work are the necessary physical elements that we will give our all for the glory at the end of the line.

However, Jesus' actually pointed out that we are in a race for eternal life. How sure are we to win in this competition? In the Kingdom of God, the first could be last, the last could be first. Thinking of others who deserve more is a humbling experience. We might think that we are on the right track. Yet, we might be the last person in the race. It does not mean that we are lagging behind. Rather, God reminds us to walk the way of His Son. There is no privilege for those who feast on happy times but disappear in trying ones. It is in trying and difficult times that we find our true faith, and with God's grace, be able to go through that narrow door.