Staying Close to Him IS Staying on Course

Many of times I have come to the point in my life where I just do not know which way to go with everything I am doing. This past summer God called me to start writing a book for young women on their significance in Christ, and I can recall a few times where I would hit a road block of confusion or doubt in the process. I would talk to God about my confusion, and my confusion about my confusion. I felt like I didn't know which way to go with the book, the crafts, the girls ministry, etc. because I didn't know what God was doing with all of it, or the course or plan He was taking with everything. But as I sought God in the blurriness of this block this summer, He led me to John 14:1-6 where Jesus is talking to the disciples, specifically Thomas here. : 


“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going." 
"No we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"  
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." 


The way this scripture pans out is hilarious. I can just see Jesus speaking this beautiful truth to the disciples, ending with a line of assurance confirming to them that they know the way to where He is going. But when I picture this scene going down, I find it so comical because the way I see Thomas freaking out when Jesus says they know the way. Thomas blurts out, frustrated, "No we don't Lord! We don't even know where you're going, much less how to get there!" Thomas responds so awkwardly in this serious context. His sarcastic, I-cant-believe-you-expect-us-to-know-this, kind of tone reveals just how ridiculous he thinks Jesus must be for planning to leave them with no mention of what they should do, and all the while the fact that Christ (who is the obvious way sitting right in front of him) flies right over his head. But yet in the midst of Thomas' blonde moment, I can see Jesus lean over and place his hand over Thomas' hand as if to calm Thomas ever so gently (who is this big macho frustrated man) and respond with, "Thomas...  I am the way." And it's like Thomas just has this awkward stunned moment with his mouth left half open that's just like...."oh."

Just like Thomas, after reading that passage this summer, I also had the same "oh" moment as Thomas did in John 14. I was trying to figure out what God was doing with me, where He was leading me, and the way I needed to go with the book, life, craft business, college, etc. and there in John 14 was the answer plain as day. Just as Thomas, I wondered these things, and God told me that I knew the way too, but when He did, I responded just like Thomas, "No God I don't- because I do not know where you are taking me so how can I possibly know the way?" But yet God so graciously responded to me:

"My daughter, I am the way. This is the path you take: ME  ; because the prize is God, and no one comes to Him except through Me. If your eyes are fixed on Me and I am your only reason, motivation, goal, heart, and desire, then you can not be led astray. You need not truly worry about anything else, because when I am your focus, everything falls rightly into place. Fix your eyes on Jesus, that is the answer."

Ladies, I let the fact that Christ (who is obviously the way) fly right over my head. I felt torn between staying on track with God and remaining close to Him- I didn't know which way to go, but I realized that I didn't have to choose between the two. Ladies, we don't have to choose between staying close to God and staying on course. Since He is the way, staying close to Him IS staying on course. As you focus your thoughts on God, He will guide you carefully along life's journey. Don't worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying His presence and staying in step with God.

My CHALLENGE to you this week is that which I feel God has personally challenged me. He laid these words upon my heart:


"Get the necessary done. Don't live in ambition, for it lives in tomorrow and takes today for granted. It will cause you to wander aimlessly trying to think up what to do and how to do it rather than just doing it. Quit wasting time being indecisive and get to work, trusting that God will take care of everything- the rough edges and the spots you leave behind." 


When life gets blurry, just remember this solid truth: if we fix our eyes on Christ, and really put forth every effort 24/7 to focus on Him, what He is about, and who He is- making Him the number one priority in our thoughts, in our desires, in our time, in our hearts, in our efforts and where we spend our energy- if He is our everything, truly and evidently- then no matter what, we can not be led astray. When  our eyes, as well as our hearts have Christ as a focal point, our feet are guaranteed to follow. Christ is the way God has given us to get to Himself, and thus may we realize our pursuit of Him is necessary. I suggest you get it done.    Keep running (literally and spiritually) ladies, keep praying, and keep seeking HIM.