In his day on the television game show The Price is Right, Bob Barker used to ask his contestants to choose a curtain. Behind one would be, as he used to love to say, “A brand new car!” Behind the other would be some lesser, inconsequential prize. In the moment, for that contestant, such a decision would be enormous. But in the end analysis, it was just a car and just a game show prize.

Life is all about choices. Most of these choices do not involve “brand new cars” and game shows, but all of them have consequences and rewards. Many of these choices are not about instant gratification and fulfilling the desires of our flesh, but they can indeed be gratifying and can surpass our wildest expectations. Not all of these choices seem like “life and death” decisions, but many have life and death implications, whether we realize it or not.

Our Lord, in His great Sermon on the Mount, taught us to “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Two gates to choose from with two entirely different outcomes. One gate has a common and easy path here on the earth, but leads to eternal destruction, while the other gate means an extraordinary and challenging path here on earth, but leads to eternal life when said and done. Jesus tells us to choose that narrow gate, but are we among the few who do?

Before we answer that, it is important to realize that this statement is not solely about life’s big decisions, or even that most important of decisions—to become a Christian. It is about life’s daily decisions—the choices we must make on a day-by-day basis that involve all manner of things. Do I give or should I receive? Do I speak or should I remain quiet? Do I buy or should I sell? Do I act now or should I wait until later? Do I laugh or should I cry? Do I come or should I go? Do I love or should I hate?

The admonition is about a way of life. The choices we make will be governed by one of these two value systems—‘I want it fast and easy’ (the wide and broad way) or ‘I am ready to work and wait for it’ (the narrow and difficult way). The flesh will typically choose that which brings the quickest and easiest of gratifications, while the spirit knows that the enduring rewards are the ones that come as a result of struggle, sacrifice and service.

Thus, to be among the few that will find the life our Lord speaks of here, we must not turn a blind eye to the narrow and difficult path less chosen. We must try to look beyond the initial reward of our choices to the long-term implications. Are my choices contrary to God or are they in harmony with God? Do my choices lead me away from God or do they draw me closer? Are my choices always rooted in the here and now or do they look ahead to eternity?

None save our Lord will make all the right choices at all the right times. For this reason, among others, I am thankful we serve a merciful God. Nevertheless, let us not be fooled for a second into believing that our choices do not represent our values or that the small decisions we make have no bearing on our eternity. Indeed, they do and they will. So, each time you are faced with those seemingly inconsequential daily choices you must make, ask yourself which of the two gates you are choosing. Are you choosing the broad gate or the narrow gate?