SEARCHLIGHT
How well are you doing in making your way through life? Is marked by negativity?
SCRIPTURE
And of this Gospel, I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:11,12 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Many people live a “NO WAY” life. Their journey through life is marked by both thinking and saying, “No way that is true… No way that could happen… No way I am going to do that… No way he is going to get away with that… No way I am wrong…No way am I going to change…No way I am going to make it.”
The NO WAY life leads NOWHERE. You confine and restrict your potential. Everything you think or do is marked by doubt, impossibility, negativity, error, or failure. Your life is like living in a dark jail cell. You cannot get out of thinking the worst and you certainly cannot stop yourself from worrying. Much of life’s precious time is wasted by uncertainty.
The Apostle Paul was one of the most productive people ever to live. He is responsible for taking the Gospel to the Gentile world and writing over one-half of the New Testament. Anyone would say that is quite an accomplishment. However, it must be remembered that he accomplished most of this facing intense opposition. He had every reason to think “NO WAY.” The Apostle’s life was marked by human pain and suffering because of a strong devotion to Jesus Christ. Paul was never doubtful about what he was certain of in life following his conversion experience on the Damascus Road. While sitting in a Roman jail, facing a death trial, he wrote to Timothy and other believers what is written above in the Scripture section. Clearly, confidently, and unashamedly, He declared his faith in Jesus Christ when he said, “For I KNOW the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to safely guard all that I have given Him…” [The Message] There is no thought of saying, “NO WAY can I go on following Jesus…No way is all this trouble worth it…” He gave no sign of darkness, disappointment, discouragement, doubt, or depression. He was certain that Jesus Christ was the living God who died for his sin so he could have eternal life. This was his great privilege. Paul had a blessed assurance that being a Christian was life’s greatest opportunity.
When someone uses the word “KNOW” in a personal way such as “I know that…” he/she is speaking with great confidence and assurance. Job said in the midst of his intense pain and suffering “I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh, I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes, I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” [ Job 19:25-27 NIV] When the Israelites faced Goliath and the Philistine army, Saul and his soldiers thought, “He is so big and strong, there is NO WAY we can ever win.” When David saw Goliath, all he could say was “He is so big, I can’t lose. You just have to KNOW YOUR WAY to bring him down.” Paul testified about his relationship with Jesus Christ to the Philippian Christians “I want to KNOW Christ, yes, to KNOW the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” [Philippians 3:10,11]
There is a vast difference between the word “NO” and the word “KNOW.” The first is negative and the second is positive. The first is restricting but the second is freeing. Which word do you want to mark your life? STOP SAYING, “NO WAY” AND START SAYING, “KNOW YOUR WAY”. Jesus Christ can turn your “NO WAY” life into “KNOW YOUR WAY” living. Your doubts can be turned into possibilities, positivity, and a perspective filled with faith and hope. Your pain can be turned into gain. Your fears can be turned into faith. Your hopeless perspective can become hopeful. Jesus guarantees you can become assured of the path you should follow in life. You must decide to make Jesus Christ the leader of your life. Turn “NO” into “KNOW.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” You will KNOW YOUR WAY in life not by reading a book, studying in school, or following a map but by personally knowing Jesus as your Savior and Lord. God, your Creator, knows what you really need more than you. Jesus said, “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father KNOWS that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” [Luke 12:29-31] To know your way you must know Jesus. He does not just show you the way because He is the way. Jesus is the “map” to follow and the “book” to read in order for you to KNOW YOUR WAY.
Become a “KNOW YOUR WAY” person rather than a “NO WAY” person. Discover the difference between what is right and wrong, what will bring a blessing or a curse, and what gives hope rather than heartache. Once you “KNOW YOUR WAY” then it will be your great privilege to help people know their way. Knowing brings happiness because you discover the difference between what is true and false as well as what is useful and useless.
SOMETHING TO DO
What steps can you resolve to take to better KNOW Jesus Christ? Read 1 Corinthians 2:2.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I want to KNOW you so that I will be able to know my way in life. I desire your presence and power to be so very real during my earthly life. AMEN