In John 14:6a, Jesus said, “I am the way.” For years I thought this meant solely that Jesus is the way and there’s none other. I believe this, but I also believe this portion of scripture has a deeper meaning. It means we must take Jesus as our way each day.
Let me explain by way of personal experience. I was attending a Christian Youth Camp in the giant redwoods of Northern California. We campers were told explicitly not to hike in the woods by ourselves. One evening after dinner I rationalized it would be OK since I loved God’s creation so much. Pretty good excuse, agree? I picked a trail after dinner and started hiking. I made up my mind that when it got dark, I would simply turn around and follow the trail back to the camp (bad idea!). As dusk crept through the towering trees, shadows fell in such a way that I lost the trail. I panicked. Dirt roads had been forged in all directions through the logging area. I anxiously chose one, then another running as fast as I could. I reasoned, if they were dead ends, I wanted to find out as soon as possible so I could try another route. Panting I ran down every dirt road I could find hoping somehow I would miraculously find my way. I didn’t. Eventually I found myself sitting on a log crying out to God as it started to get dark. God I don’t know the way, help me.
There was a pile of branches, five feet high, standing fifty feet from where I was sitting. The Lord spoke to me, as clear as a bell, "walk toward that pile of branches." I did, and as I got closer I could see a trail just beyond the pile. The Lord said, "you need to go that way." I started down the trail. I knew for sure I was going in the direction God wanted me to go. The darker it got, the faster I ran. Forty five minutes later, I heard rushing water in the distance. The sound got louder and louder. I was wrong! It wasn’t rushing water, but the sound of cars swishing by on the highway. I stepped out on the roadside and immediately a car pulled to the side of the road. The driver yelled out the window, "where are you headed?" I told him I had been lost in the woods and needed to get back to the Christian and Missionary Alliance Youth Camp. He explained, “I just happen to be a counselor at the camp. Would you like a ride?” Yes sir, I replied. Three and one half miles down the highway I was back at the camp.
Just as Jesus became my way in this experience, He wants us to take Him as our way today. So many times we don’t know the way. We don’t know the way to be that patient, loving, and understanding spouse that we should be. We don’t know the way to be that patient and loving parent we should be. We don’t know the way to deal with our job situation. We don’t know the way to manage our financial situation. We don’t know the way to minister more effectively. In all these challenges, Jesus wants us to take Him as our way. He is near and is waiting for us to admit that we can’t make it. As soon as we do, He steps into the picture. We don’t need to pretend every thing is fine if it's not. He wants us to be honest. In my experience as a young child, the Lord didn’t become my way until I had exhausted all my natural resources. He wants us to come to the end of ourselves in the same way. We shouldn’t feel ashamed to confess our inabilities to Him. That ‘s just what He is waiting for us to do! Our responsibility is to humble ourselves in his presence. Trust Him, He is faithful, and truly wants to be The Way in your experience.
Be most in those engagements which you have ... proved to draw you nearest to Christ, .... Jesus should not be a friend who calls upon us now and then, but one with whom we walk evermore.
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