following the way

In preparation for Easter I am writing 20 minutes every morning. I can't guarantee the cohesiveness of what I write, as it will be whatever comes to mind, with minimal edits. I pray that by starting my day reflecting on God, Scripture, or other related thoughts - those thoughts will become actions in my life for God's glory.

Jesus is the only way to God. He is the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). Many people believe in Jesus without really accepting him. It's not enough to simply believe that those words are true - you must accept them as true. You must live like they are true. I feel like I often do not.

If we believe that Jesus is the The Way then it is his path we should follow. His path is the way to eternity. To Heaven. To God. His path had very little to do with personal pleasure - though he did enjoy life. His path had very little to do with possessions - though he did enjoy the comforts he was given. His path had very little to do with greatness - though he was great.

Jesus taught us a very simple lifestyle. He taught us to love - to serve - to pray - to listen - to obey. He taught us honesty and boldness. He taught us forgiveness and tenderness. He taught us compassion and humility. The things he taught us would drastically change every bit of most of our lives - if we applied them.

We love - but only those who love us. We serve - but only those who will serve us. We forgive - but only those who beg for it (and not always then). We pray - but only at convenient times. We listen - but we don't act on what we hear. We obey - but only the parts that match our comfort level.

What would life look like if we loved everyone? What if we served before being served? What if we forgave without being asked? What if we prayed constantly? What if we listened to God more than we talked to Him? What if we obeyed the things he tells - even if they are uncomfortable?

It sounds like an impossible task. It sounds like something we could never do. But really, they are each choices. We choose to love. We choose to serve. We choose to forgive. These are not emotions that are out of our control. These are actions that will dictate our emotions. When we choose to love and serve and forgive - we perform the actions that go with these things. Our emotions will follow.

We have an advocate. A partner. A Shepard to guide us. The Holy Spirit is with us always. He is there to help us, to intercede for us, to overcome our limitations. We are not meant to be able to do it by ourselves. We must surrender ourselves and the Holy Spirit will be our guide. When the burden is too heavy, he will take it. When the hurt is too powerful, he will comfort. When the stress is too intense, he will sooth.

He doesn't do it for us. Then we would never change. We would never learn. We would never grow. But we must also never think it is our own strength. We must never think that we are great. We must never think that we are the mighty champion - because it is in that moment that we are swiftly defeated. When we forget that the Holy Spirit is supporting that heavy burden and he releases it, we are swiftly crushed.

Let's try to follow the way of Jesus. Let's rely on the Holy Spirit.  Let's do the things that seem impossible. I know that as we do - the Father will become increasingly clearer.