The Path is Narrow

by Stella Whalen

There are many different paths in life. Some people forge their own. Some people follow the crowd. Others just wish somebody would tell them which path to take because the chance of choosing the wrong one petrifies them. 

I've been on many different paths in my life. I've followed others, I've tried to forge my own, and now I'm on a path that I suppose is a little bit of both. I no longer follow the crowd; I try very hard to stand out in how I live my life. I've tried many times to forge my own path and have failed in the fact that it did not get me where I wanted to go, but it did, however, teach me the hard necessary lessons I needed to learn.

People often see change as a sign that whatever you were doing previously was a mistake and that now you're simply correcting the course of your life. I disagree with that logic.

Art illustrating a narrow path leading to

the sun. 

There are things I regret doing in life, sure, but every choice I've made in the past has got me to the place my feet stand today. And today I am standing confidently in a body and in a mind that knows the plans God has for my life are good. 

This year I have been fortunate enough to find teammates and friends that share the same passions of my heart and mind. My good friend Maggie Moore is a sophomore at the University of Kansas and a  member of the KU Swim and Dive team. When asked how she glorifies God through her sport she replied, "By encouraging my teammates and showing them love like He would. I don't think you always have to be talking about God to show Him to others, you can glorify Him in your actions as well." 

Another friend of mine, Ashley Heavner, is a sophomore here at Washburn University and a member of the Washburn Track and Field team. Ashley answered, "I try to bring glory to God through track because I wouldn't even be where I am today if it wasn't for Him." She went on to say, "My faith is my purpose, track is just my platform. He has blessed me with every gift and talent I have so He deserves all the glory for my success." 

As both athletes prepare for their upcoming season, they continue to root their identity not in the outcome of their sport but in their Creator. The path God calls us to walk on is narrow and goes against the traditional way of life. It is not always easy to glorify God through our sports, but it is the way God has asked us to live and therefor the life we try to live out daily. 

Works Cited:

Greater Good Magazine: Seven Paths to a Meaningful Life

Bible Gateway: Matthew 7:13-14

Photo Credit: Dominic Martinelli