So back to the struggle with a new blog post. Just curious, do you ever find yourself going through your day experiencing life, and thinking about how you will share that experience in a new post on Facebook? Taking a long shot here, but I am pretty sure I am not alone in that one! :) Lately though, I have found my thoughts shifting from Facebook posts to blog posts. What is it that I can share from my life that has value...that will speak hope or encouragement to those who read it? My thoughts and ideas have felt like a blank chalkboard...nothing there for others to look upon.
The last week and a half have been so good in so many ways, but I still find myself struggling to put pieces together in my mind concerning what is stirring in my heart. Good things are brewing in there...God is clearly at work, but clarity and words to explain it are lacking. Even in my prayer journal I just find myself in a place of praise and thankfulness, but asking the same questions of God. Asking for clarity, wisdom, direction... In many ways I feel like I am standing at the edge of a wooded path. The path is small with lots of foliage blocking it. I can't see the path very well, and it is dark. But I keep being called back to it even though when I look off to the right I can see a clear path that is wide and fully lit up. It looks lush and so inviting. It is the path that makes sense at first glance. I can see quite a ways down it, but yet...yet I keep feeling a tug toward this other path. I can't explain it. I don't know what awaits me down it, but I know I trust the One who is calling me to it. And if He is calling me then there are blessings ahead that far outweigh what I see off to the right. This image reminds me of this verse in Matthew 7:14, "Small is the gate & narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
This dark and narrow path is the path of faith -- the path of life. It is the way that requires sacrifice, and it requires trust. It won't be glamorous, but it will be rewarding. It is rougher than the other path, but full of beauty and uniqueness. At the end, the path widens into the most beautiful pasture you can imagine...bright...lush...full of beauty. The path to the right...it is straight and the scenery stays the same. After a while it becomes boring. There is no adventure. No faith is involved. And it ends in a dry desert...nothing life giving is there to satisfy the travelers soul.
In thinking forward to Easter, and what happened in the days leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection, I see that Jesus was also presented two separate paths, but He always chose the narrow one that went against man's logic. When His disciples sat at the table during the Last Supper they argued over who was the greatest, and The Greatest at the table humbled Himself and washed their feet. The job that was left for the lowest of servants is the example we are given for greatness. His love defied man's logic...He loved and served Judas while knowing He was going to be betrayed by him. When Jesus was about to be seized, Simon Peter struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. In a moment when Jesus could have seen that his faithful disciple was trying to protect Him and trying to bring justice, He reminded them all He wasn't here to lead a rebellion. He led in love and compassion...to the least likely. At that moment, He reached out and healed the ear of the servant. Compassion and love extended to the one that was ready to take Him to the cross. Jesus didn't walk the wide open road that made sense to those around Him. He walked the path that required the ultimate sacrifice, but He willingly walked it. In the end...the beauty of that path He walked shines the brightest light possible into a hurting and dark world. Today I am thankful for Jesus' example, and for His incredible sacrifice!
I want to end by sharing this beautiful song. It feels like it could be the song of my heart right now...Lead Me On Jesus!
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