“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” — Izaak Walton
I have found this to be so true. At the age of 55, I know that the path behind me is longer than that in front of me. Through the years that have marked the path, I have been blessed to have amazing people in my life. These include my parents, who chose me and committed to love me regardless of my actions. When I was 27, God brought my wife to me as a timely and much needed gift. Regardless of my missteps, she has been faithful to me since the day we first met at a church covered dish dinner. Like shoots from the olive tree, God has brought beautiful children into my life. They, too, have endured my imperfections and loved me beyond measure. When I add to these an innumerable host of friends, it becomes powerfully clear that my journey has been one in which I have enjoyed very good company.
There is yet another friend whom I have not named. His presence in my life is more important than any previously mentioned. He has been with me for many years, and yet I feel that he is the one about whom I still have the most to learn. His name is Jesus, the one who lived roughly two thousand years ago in a middle eastern land commonly known as Palestine (not to be confused with Palestine, TX). My introduction to him came at an early age, and the relationship has grown since. The growth hasn’t been steady; a graph of it would look something like the stock market index. To put it another way, the path has been windy. There have been peaks and valleys. Straight and narrow may be the way that leads to life, but the path that I have walked with Jesus would look more like a county road in eastern West Virginia than a four-lane highway through Kansas.
At least two things can be said about my personal journey as a well-intentioned but very flawed disciple of Jesus Christ. First, my friend is always faithful. He never fails, even though he sometimes surprises me. Second, the unexpected nature of the path is something I have come to embrace. The blind curves have taught me to trust when I cannot see. The steep inclines have made me stronger, even though they may be tiring in the moment. The gradual descents have provided opportunities to catch my breath and enjoy the ride. One thing is clear: I haven’t “arrived” yet. Jesus is still working to get me where I need to be. I think that’s okay, as long as I am moving. That’s the important thing. Keep moving on the journey.
The posts that I will share are meant to be reflections about the journey. They will surely be born out of personal experiences, various readings, or observations that are made in the ordinary rhythms of life. They may not be theologically refined or grammatically perfect (my apologies to the writers and theologians out there). They are meant both for myself and for those who can tolerate reading them. In the end my hope is that God will speak, to me and to you, and that the perfect, sovereign will of God may be accomplished among us. Thanks be to God for the winding path.
The Winding Path 