Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/75

Contributor - J. W. VandenBerg

Title - About a Way And a Road

Topic - Meditation

Two men were walking together, both were about the same age, had similar life-experiences as well as opportunities and backgrounds, yet there was a vast difference between the two.

The one was peaceful and at ease, the other was not. The one was smiling and the other looked grim. The one had sparkling eyes, the other's eyes were dull. The one kept the conversation going while the other had nothing to say. The one kept putting-in questions, but the other had no answers other than "I don't know" or "I don't care". There seemed to be such a tremendous difference between the two, a difference that should not have been there and might not have been quite so noticeable at first. Why did the one radiate peace and love and understanding while the other was just the very opposite? Both claimed to be Christians! Now how can that be?

Possibly because the one had found a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, while the other had been satisfied with just some facts and figures about the Christian faith. While head knowledge is a must, even in faith, it is not the only thing.

The road that these two men were travelling was equally good and dry and both should feel equally comfortable, yet they did not for their hearts were at different levels of peace. When Jesus said "I am the way . . ." He intended us to experience that to the fullest ' HE wants to give us directions, but if we keep our earmuffs on, so as to protect our ears from any possible wrong or bad noises, we might just not hear Him. When He comes to us in the form of a plea for help, we might be too busy "preparing to meet Him".

When Jesus spoke of Himself as "the truth . . ." He did not mean that everything-else was false, otherwise we would simply become so heavenly minded that we would be no earthly good (and have you not seen the truth, in a worldly sense, being used to hurt others or to make the speaker look better?). Jesus' truth is based on love and creates understanding, it makes people do unselfish things and counting other better and higher than self. His truth brings out the good in others and makes them feel worthwhile.

And then Jesus said He also is "the life . . .". When you walk through a storm hold your head up high say the lyrics of one hymn Learning to live life in Christ makes the difference just as is seen in the above two characters. And all it takes is accepting what Christ holds out to all: take my yoke upon you . . . do it My Way. Surely many are on the right road, yet not all know the Way. We might easily become what someone called a "careful failure". Just like 11 of the 12 disciples, when Jesus walked on the water and Peter also, they, the 11 carefully stayed behind.

My friend, the road is there, may your way be peaceful, joyful, happy and bright in Christ.

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