I heard an interesting story that was broadcast on a Christian radio station recently. The story told of a missionary who had given years of his life living with and ministering to a group of people who lived deep, deep in the jungle. After years of faithful gospel ministry to these people it came time for the missionary to leave. However, he was so deep in the jungle that he needed a guide to show him the way out. As he followed the guide who had a machete in his hand, cutting the brush as they walked along, it seemed to the missionary that they were not going out of the jungle but seemingly going deeper into the jungle. At one point, he stopped the guide to ask if he was sure they were on the right path as it seemed that there was no path. The guide turned and replied: “I am the path”.
Just as we were cutting our way out of the jungle of 2020, the first few days of the new year have been heartbreaking as we have watched events unfold here in our home country. There has been so much hatred, so much division, and so much evil. Perhaps even our personal lives have seemed like we are cutting our way out of a jungle. Instead of clearing up, our path seems like it is leading us deeper and deeper into the jungle. It is when the darkness deepens and the jungle gets more confusing that we must remember that we have a Guide. His name is Jesus and He has declared Himself to be the Path. In John 14:6 He says: “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me”.
Jesus is our Guide, He is our Way, and He is our Path. He loves us and is an all knowing, faithful Guide who has a plan and purpose for our lives even when we are in a dark jungle. Let us trust Him and follow Him, He knows where He is leading us.