The Narrow Path: How . . .Rich Villodas titles his third book The Narrow Path: How the Subversive Way of Jesus Satisfies Our Souls (Waterbrook, 2024). Brooklyn-born, Rich serves as the lead pastor at New Life Fellowship in Elmhurst, Queens. As we enter the narrow path, we discover a spaciousness for the soul. Something hard to experience from the outside. Most significantly, we only realize this spaciousness as we step into what seems like a confined space. Consequently, we live in a freedom the world cannot give nor take away. The cruciform way of Jesus leading to renewal and healing. However, the journey through the narrow path takes time, requires us to slow down. In addition, it’s a life that submits to Jesus and His subversive wisdom.
Hence, Jesus confronts and invites us onto a path most people aren’t excited to choose. Because those in Jesus’ kingdom work from blessing, not for blessing. Also, the word blessed refers to people who cling to God’s acceptance and approval, whether or not their circumstances seem to confirm or deny it. Jesus calls us into a hiddenness from ourselves to counter our unrelenting desire for others to see us. What Ron Rolheiser describes as the martyrdom of obscurity. Above all, prayer wards off the unrelenting demands of our shadow side. Thus, prayer serves as both the entry point and the essential power source to help us follow Jesus. Furthermore, prayer is more about communion with God than getting something from God.
Made in God’s image, Pastor Villodas exhorts, you have much more to offer than you think. And as you reflect the light of Jesus, that sacred calling helps others find their way to Him. Your act of generosity opens your hands. So, relinquishing, not acquiring, secures our well-being. Jesus offers us ease and resistance. Living under God’s provision strips worry of its power. Therefore, Jesus invites us to life detached lives, where the stuff we own doesn’t own us. As a result, to saturate ourselves in God’s word and ways loosens the grip of worry on our souls. Otherwise, feeding worry and anxiety leads to bondage. But the unworried way of children is the key to following Jesus.
In conclusion, Rich counsels, Jesus calls us to a life of interior self-examination. Everything we do need to flow from love of God and neighbor. Put another way, both mission and motive matter. And to know God’s will, you must desire it, search the Scriptures, listen to your heart. and pursue community wisdom. Obey from a place of delight and desire. Rather than from a forced sense of duty. Because the Christian faith expressed in name only represents the biggest hindrance to the Gospel. Discipline and formation enable us to follow Jesus’ command to love our enemies. While Jesus’ narrow path might not make sense, it saves your life.
Finally, Rich encourages, you encounter the living God on your journey. He writes:
“The ultimate end of the narrow path is not a state of subjective bliss; it’s a journey into the very heart of God. A heart that is cross shaped in nature.”