Follow- The Way

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way...' " John 14:6 NIV


When we follow signs we get where we are going. Its a simple concept. Personally, I am not a fan of the GPS on the dashboard. I would rather have the directions and watch for the signs about which I was told- a street sign, a business, an oak tree, that cow in the pasture with the large brown spot, etc. (If you've ever lived in the country, you know what I mean.)


Jesus very simply said, "I am the way." Right before this, Jesus is letting His disciples know that He is going to return to heaven to get ready for them (and us) to be there with Him. He says, "You know the way to the place where I am going."


Thomas answers, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"


This is what prompted Jesus' reply, "I am the way..." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I am the road- walk this way." or "I am the direction you should take- follow me." or "I am the manner in which you should walk- do what I do." Any of these is a good way to think of what Jesus said. 


The truth is, if I follow Jesus, I can't go the wrong way. If I walk the path He lays out, I won't get off at the wrong exit. If I do what He does, I'll never make a wrong turn. And the best way to see where and how Jesus moves is to get to know Him more. Grab your Bible and read about Jesus. A really cool tool is a Harmony of the Gospels. I found a couple of good ones for my personal study by searching Google. Click here to download a PDF you can put on your computer, iPod, or whatever. 


God, I thank You for Your Son and the way He shows how to get to you. Open my eyes to see more of Jesus. Give me the desire to read your Word and see who Jesus really is. Bless those who read this with the same desire, for Your Name's sake.


In the Potter's Hand,
JW

Growing Up

My daughter started High School today.

I remember years ago when we walked her to Kindergarten. We have a picture of her smiling outside the school, very excited for the new experience. She is so much different now than she was then. For instance, we took her picture then outside the school in broad daylight. Today, I took her picture in the house, quickly before she went with one if her best friends to the bus stop.

The thing that keeps running through my head is this, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways." (1 Corinthians 13:11, NCV) Sometimes this is a good thing, that as we grow we leave behind the baby stuff. But as a parent watching my first-born grow, it's a little sad to see the baby stuff go. I used to hold her close as she fell asleep, now she's up later than me on the other side of the house texting friends on her iPhone. I used to walk her to school, now it's a quick "'Bye!" as she runs to the bus. I know growing up happens, but why does it happen so fast?

So to you parents giving up those "childish things," I am praying for you. May God grant us the grace to put this things behind us, and be glad as our children move on toward the men and women God has for them to be.