Just as a lamp helps me find my way in the darkness, so too does God’s Word enable me to see ‘The Way’ I should walk.
Getting to the right place, at the right time, and in the right way, requires first that we know what ‘The Way’ is, second that we disentangle ourselves from what holds us back from actually traveling ‘The Way’, and finally that we travel ‘The Way’ how it was designed to be transverse.
So how do we start this trip? First, scripture tells us that “God is calling you to come out of the darkness and into the light.” (1 Peter 2:9) So the first thing is to not harden your heart and reject Him, but answer His call. Second is to accept that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to God but by Him” (John 14:6). So, the next step we must take is to walk, or live, as Jesus did (1John 2:6). As we begin this journey, having let go of our old ways of thinking and doing (very important or we won’t get very far) and placed our trust in ‘The Way’, that is Jesus Christ, we are given two ‘helps’, His Spirit that will guide, strengthen, and comfort us… and His Word as the map His Spirit will use to direct our path. His Word, as our map and compass, is “the lamp to your feet and a light to your path” (Psalm 118:105) and is “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God (that’s you) may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). These two ‘helps’ are important. First, they help us avoid the pitfalls and navigate through the obstacles in this world. And second, when we do stumble and fall, they help us get back up and reorient ourselves with ‘The Way.’
If we do these things, our God has promised us that we will benefit from all He has provided along ‘The Way’… all those provisions that are to be ‘found IN Christ’, for “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him ‘who called’ (referring back to where we started) us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)
So where are you in your journey? Have you responded to His call.. Or are you resisting it? Are you studying the map and listening to the Guide as He explains the trip? Are you maneuvering through ‘the valley of the shadow of death’ or resting by ‘still waters’ that He has provided for your maturity as a Believer? Or, are you struggling to get up again after a fall? No matter where you are… you are not alone! He has promised to never leave you, not forsake you’… So grab His hand and get going!
Choose Wisely….
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Praying you choose Jesus today
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
