Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV
At a recent prayer summit with pastors, we sang the song Way Maker by the band Leland as a focus for prayer. God led me to the illustration of the Red Sea event for the children of Israel. A large body of water was in front of them and Pharaoh’s army was behind them. Then God opened the waters in front of them. He made a way. Even the complainers and whiners were able to walk through on dry ground.
What difference does it make that Jesus redefined “the way”? He stated plainly that “the Way” is not a what, rather it is a who. Jesus declared that He is the WHO. Salvation is only through Jesus.
Take just a moment to think of all of the difficulties that you are experiencing right now in your life. Even though some problems are cyclical, you are facing this situation for the first time. Finances are overwhelming, family members are facing life threatening illnesses, marriages and families are on the verge of falling apart, or your job is just not working out. How do you decide which direction to go next? Jesus.
- To follow Jesus requires submission. It is a recognition of His place of lordship over you. Many feathers get ruffled as the fleshly self inside all of us has to bend toward another. To follow Jesus is to consciously yield to His wisdom and strength.
- “The Way” is not an option of choices, but obedience to instructions from a person. It is okay to write down all of the options that are available to you in moving forward. Take time to evaluate which ones line up with scriptural principles. Then make another column, ask for Jesus to fill in that space with His Way. It may be one of the choices that you have already chosen. But His Way will force you to choose to obey or disobey. Obedience leads to light and truth.
- “The Way” is a person who is present on the path. Jesus never asks us to do something or go somewhere that He is not willing to go with us. He will not leave us on our own. Though others have forsaken, that is not the way of Jesus. Though you may be walking through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with you.
I really sense that someone is struggling today with some tough decisions. Look to Jesus. Talk with Jesus. Listen to Jesus. Take your eyes off of the horizon of problems and look up into the face of Jesus who is ever watching all that you do. The Way forward is through Him.
Blessings Love y’all