Tidbits for Thought

THE JOURNEY TO FOREVER

John 12:44-46 “Then Jesus cried out, ‘When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Ever noticed how a road is so synonymous to our lives? Sometimes the road is like a freeway…. straight and wide… well lit, going directly to our destination. At other times the road is like a highway in the country…. not so well marked, not so light…. full of curves and dips and our destination can seem far, far away. Sometimes the road is like an unmaintained highway in the boondocks, downright dangerous with potholes everywhere…. unmarked intersections…. trash and debris scattered by the side…. detours every mile or so…. completely dark with no signs pointed toward the ultimate destination.

The journey on the road of life that each individual takes may be well marked and smooth at times with a clear path to whatever destination seems desirable and life is good. Then suddenly a curve of sickness, a pothole of unexpected death, or a detour of sin obscures that destination. The road becomes littered with confusion, lingering sorrow, broken promises, shattered relationships, unmet expectations and unresolved guilt.

Each of us is on a journey to somewhere right at this very moment. Each of us are dealing with individual challenges on that journey. How we react to these challenges determines, in large part, the quality of life that we experience. The challenges might be such that even trusting God seems to be useless and ineffectual and God seems far, far away. On the other hand, the challenges might be such that trusting God is our only option…………. which is a place where we should have been all along.

If your journey puts you on a freeway that is well lit, well-marked and direct, the proper and faithful response to God is one of gratitude and joy. If your journey has you on a dark and dangerous road, the proper and faithful response to God is the same…. gratitude and joy. Gratitude that you are able to feel His loving presence and protection amidst the challenges and joy that the certainty of eternal life with Him is assured……. despite what life on a fallen planet deals you.

No matter what the road of life has dealt you in the past or is currently dishing out to you…. no matter how lost, confused and hopeless that you might be feeling at this moment, the light of Jesus is waiting to lead you out of the darkness of hurt and confusion. His warm arms are waiting to cradle you and comfort or heal the wounds that life seems to dish out with stunning regularity. His unrestrained grace assures us of mercy and forgiveness.

The boundless love of a Father who gave up his only Son for each of us is as close as a prayer.  Think about it!      ~ Aron Smith