Have you ever driven the wrong way down a one-way street?
I have not yet done so, but the thought of it makes me anxious when I’m driving downtown in a big city. I have images of action-adventure movie scenes, where the car chase always seems to end up going the wrong way on a one-way street. What ensues? Danger, chaos, confusion, piercing car horns, fear, stress, out-of-control swerving, and often, some sort of collision.
Unfortunately, this description sounds a lot like our everyday life: Disorder. Tension. Noise. Misdirection. Living in survival mode. Crashes. How many of us are traversing life as if we’re going the wrong way down a one-way street?
The word “Way” has many definitions. And in applying those definitions to the concept of a one-way street, it implies both the direction and the manner of travel. The ONE WAY street sign shows which direction to travel, and if followed, the manner of travel has the potential to be adventurous yet tranquil, challenging yet focused, eventful yet simple.
The thing is, God gives us all the ‘street’ signs we need in the Bible to show us the way. In the Old Testament, before the days of the human life of Jesus, God deliberately communicates to the people (through the prophet Jeremiah) that He offers the way of life.
“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.’ Jeremiah 21:8
Again, “the way” He offers is both a direction and a manner of travel. The way of life is both How we live it, and Where it takes us. In one of the most popular recited scriptures, we learn more about the way of life God offers:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Jesus calls himself The Way.
As I reflected on this statement, I had a flashback to my youth and an image of a book cover I saw at an older cousin’s house:
The Way Bible was quite popular in the 1970s, but to be honest, I didn’t even realize it was a Bible. With the smiling young faces on the cover, I figured maybe it was more like a Teenager How-To Guide. As I wasn’t yet a teenager, I assumed the book was not for me. Many years later I finally realized the book was a Bible. But still, as a youngster, I was naturally curious about “The Way.”
The questions I consider when I hear these words are… “The way to what?” or “The way to where?”
Again, it seems “the way” is both the direction we are travelling and the manner in which we are doing so.
Jesus is The Way to our destination:
- The way to the Father.
- The way to Heaven.
- The way to eternal life.
- The way to faith.
- The way to freedom.
- The way to redemption.
- The way to forgiveness.
Jesus is The Way to live life:
- The way to live abundantly.
- The way to live with contentment.
- The way to a life of joy, peace, and love.
- The way to live obediently.
- The way to live with hope.
The early Christian church was known as “The Way” (see the book of Acts for several references, including Acts 9:2 and Acts 19:9). These first followers of Jesus took hold of the words from Jesus ~ “I am the Way” ~ and they became people who belonged to “The Way”. They declared Jesus as Lord, they followed His commands, and claimed the salvation He offered.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. John 10:9
In our home, we have a ceramic bust of Jesus with the words “I am the Way” etched at the bottom. The piece sits on a shelf in my bedroom and was brought into my life through my marriage. I have gazed upon His face frequently over the years and often neglected to see the words.
That is, until lately, as the Holy Spirit was preparing me to write about The Way. As with most words I write about, meditate on, and pray over – it leads to a stirring in my heart. And that’s where I end my reflection….
Jesus is my Way.
The Way (New Horizon) – by Pat Barrett can be a great prayer and praise song used for an affirmation of our faith in Jesus. Listen HERE.
I believe you are
The way,
The truth,
The life,
I believe you are.
***
It’s a new horizon
And I’m set on you
***
I believe you are
The way,
The truth,
The life,
I believe you are.
***