"Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." Psalm 27:11
I love painting paths—sometimes to destinations unknown, but often, as in this painting, to expansive spaces.
Artistically expressing my journey of faith, either literally or abstractly, never bores me. I honestly don't care if I repeat myself ad nauseam, because I need reminding of God's faithfulness at every bend and turn in the path.
In Psalm 27 David makes an earnest request for an unhindered, easy to navigate path through life with a clear eyed view of the destination! He knew well the presence of enemies, having lived as a fugitive for years before becoming king.
The flat terrain in The Plain Path leaves nowhere for the enemy to hide and offers a unhindered view of the landscape! I wish life were as uncomplicated! Faith in God would then be unnecessary.
Our future on earth is murky, even with Jesus as "The Way." It unfolds at a pace we can neither speed up nor slow down. I embedded cross shapes in the painting as reminders of the high price paid for the privilege of journeying with Him.
Should we choose His lordship, our paths will be satisfying, even if not as effortless to navigate as we'd like. He promises to care for and protect us until we reach our destination.
I'm convinced what awaits is more splendid than our finite minds can comprehend!
How can I be sure when the Bible only hints at it? Can He, who created majestic mountains and oceans teeming with beauty, do any less than prepare an eternity that is not outrageously GOOD? Of course, not!
The Way explores a different perspective. It depicts a much sought after feature in the Galilean landscape, a marker on the trail that Jesus walked and I hiked thousands of years later. When the path forked in opposite directions, a pile of rocks at the intersection, with a cheery yellow arrow on one showed us, wayfarers, the direction to take.
Obeying His words is akin to following Him. They flesh out "The Way," evoking strong responses in the hearer. His words possess inherent power to deliver from darkness. But they also offend.
Observing the thinning crowds that once came eagerly to hear Him, the Bible records that Jesus turned to His disciples to ask if they would also leave Him.
"From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:66-68
They "walked no more with Him" is a tragic statement!
Jesus was confrontational with truth. The truth of our sinfulness triggers defensiveness. We tend to respond with anger when the ugly, darkened corners of our hearts are exposed to His light. Isn't it easier to feel resentful than to admit our failings?
However, taking offense at His words is deadly with far reaching consequences.
His words ring with such authority that dismissing them is also not an easy proposition. Peter's response to Jesus' question is also mine.
"To whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life."
Those who "walked no more with him" missed out on that eternal life—the Zoe life of God that comes from responding correctly to Jesus' words.
Painting The Way reminded me of the challenges of following Him. Paths on the trail veered away without a clear view forward because of changes in elevation. The rock piles were often camouflaged with overgrown wildflowers atop lanky stalks. The paint of some of the arrows had faded in the sunlight. It was easy to get lost at the forks, if you were unclear about which path to take. Ask me how I know. Yes, I got lost!
Jesus taught His disciples on the trail as He walked with them. Considering the distances involved it should come as no surprise. They spent hours together, marching from village to village. I imagine them striding briskly, robes flapping in the wind, taking in the breathtaking views of the Galilean countryside spread out like a colorful blanket on every side.
It is also exquisitely apt that what their eyes beheld became symbols which He generously employed in His lessons—sky, sea, birds, fields, seeds, golden harvest, trees, lilies… It all fit perfectly, like a complex puzzle that is intensely satisfying to tackle.
Getting lost on the most important journey of life is not to be taken lightly.
Those who turned away from Jesus then, and now, miss out on more than is immediately apparent. They never grasp how life was meant to be lived, in step with Him, with His help and provision. They also miss out on the life to come with riches we can only imagine.
There's much contempt for the naïveté of Christians, who believe in a glorious life to come. Call me simple if you like, but for me, as for countless others, it's easy to believe. How could I not, when every word of Jesus that I have trusted this far has proven to be true? That's more than I can say about the blabber of people, which shifts as the slither of a rattlesnake on Texas caliche.
Jesus has more than earned my trust for my tomorrows—the good and the bad, the trials and the victories. He is completely trustworthy.
Even little details, like distances being recorded as "a day's journey"… confirms the veracity of the Biblical accounts. I've trekked that countryside and know it's true.
If you feel lost in life, your way out is not a philosophy or a religion of dos and don'ts. Your way out is a person—Jesus.
Welcome His words, obey them in faith and He will empower your way out of every mess and guide you into supernatural, indescribable peace—a kind that is unmatched and difficult to articulate. It must be experienced.
From that peace flows art and creativity, praise and worship. And it is experienced while all hell is raging around you!
I learned on the trail that the earnestness of a disciple was demonstrated by how close to the Rabbi you walked. Walk in the dust stirred up by His feet and you'll never miss a word He speaks.
Then there's no way that you can get lost!
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