JESUS: THE WAY
DECEMBER 8, 1999
JOHN 14:1-7

STAYING ON THE ROAD

      Hanging on the wall just above my computer is a wonderful melted crayon painting. It’s a snowy mountain landscape featuring a small village nestled in a valley of Douglas fir trees. A single country road leads to a chapel with a steeple twice as tall as any structure in town.
      As the viewer, I stand in the middle of this road about half a mile from the church. The road is plowed and there are snowdrifts on either side. Bulrushes stick out of the snow, indicating slushy wet marsh underneath. The church is the first building in the town, standing there in the distance- beautiful, warm, secure, and inviting.
      This plowed path is the only one visible to the desired destination. I reflect on my spiritual walk and the fact that Jesus is the only road to the Father. I wonder why I often hesitate to follow Him? Sometimes, it’s because the storm is blowing snow in my face and I can’t see the way clearly. These times require me to trust Him to direct me, safely avoiding any obstacles. At other times, the sun is shining and the way that I should go is obvious but I pretend not to see. I’d rather pursue selfish goals, certain that I know best. These resultant detours usually involve pride, fun, career, vanity or other selfish distractions. It’s never long before I find myself in the cold, separated from God, lost in the sloshy bulrushes, and wondering how I ever got there! Jesus wants me to focus on Him and know that He is the only way to the Father. His perfect path is visible when I trust Him to reveal it.
      Dear God, many conflicting messages will compete for my attention this holiday season. This Christmas, let me fix my eyes and my heart on Jesus. Amen.

John 14:1-7 “1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

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