"I AM THE PATH"

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (John 14:6a)

Bible teacher E. Stanley Jones told the story of a missionary who got lost in an African jungle. There was nothing around him but thick bush and a few cleared spaces. He came upon a local village and asked one of the men if he could lead him out of the jungle. When the native agreed, the missionary said, "Well, show me the way." The African man responded, "Walk." So they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour. The missionary began to get worried. "Are you sure this is the right way?  Where is the path?" The man said, "Friend, in this place there is no path. I am the path."

It is a jungle out there -- from anything-goes culture to polar-opposite politics, the path of life is overgrown with too many opinions and too little time. It's hard to see the forest for the trees. We need clear direction. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). Jesus walked in His Father's footsteps, illuminating a path for others who desire to find their way. 

-- Adapted from “Pathway to God's Treasure: Ephesians” by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose

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OUR GUIDING LIGHT

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

Jesus 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 NIV)

Jesus is the beacon of my journey through life. When fears and doubts, misunderstandings and rejection tend to darken my path, I can always depend on Him to be my guiding light. At times He guides me gently like reflectors on the road. At other times a low beam headlight will amply illuminate the way. Sometimes I will need the high beam for cosmic vision. Whichever way it is, no followers of Jesus will every walk in the darkness. Like David prayed, “make Your way plain for me to follow" (Psalm 5:8). He will surely show you His way if you ask Him to. 

-- Joseph Matthews 

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