Posted on June 9, 2024 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
THE JOURNEY
The Path of Life
by Lisa Zulke
"We’re not a running club, but it’s a great picture for what it looks like for us to walk the paths of life that God leads us on, because he leads us on them together. You know, one of the benefits that I get from a running community is that water stations are put out at regular intervals to help us on the path. They’re called Way Stations. Isn’t that funny? That’s kinda what Sundays are for those on the journey with Jesus. A moment to catch our breath together, to look to Jesus together, to celebrate God’s guidance and leading, to be inspired that whatever leg of the journey we’re on, he is with us. You were made to walk with God. No one walks alone."
–Message quote, Dan Jacobsen
Walking with God at 26 was hard; it felt awkward. Often, I would stumble-trip through practices that weren’t fully mine yet. Or I’d squelch-squirch through some mucky, muddy places, nearly stuck, or losing my shoe in the process, much like my favorite children’s book, "We’re Going On A Bear Hunt".
Fast-forward, and I can affirm that walking with Jesus, alongside fellow travelers, has made me better at life—better at finding and following the path Jesus set before me.
Last summer, I lost my hiking shoe in a bog… so stuck my foot pulled right out of it! One friend steadied me from behind as I yelped, balanced on one foot, and reached through the mud, quickly covering my empty shoe. Another reached in with me and we pried the shoe out, returned it to my foot, and got me back on solid ground. That moment was only a hiking crisis, but these same women are people I can turn to in any situation, trusting that they will help me find my footing and return to the path.
Yesterday, I had the joy of hiking through the forest in Bonner Springs with a group of friends. The terrain was hilly, the trail overgrown, and the footing a bit slick in spots from the recent storm. As we walked and talked, I saw people reaching a hand back to help one another, holding branches out of the way for others to cross, and encouraging each other as the going got treacherous over roots, rock piles and hills. It was a beautiful picture of what it looks like to not walk alone.
At the same time, these women chatted about life, health concerns, relational hard spots, and hopes and dreams. Encouragement, ideas, and clarifying questions were offered. My circle of people I could reach out to in a pinch for encouragement, prayer or good company got bigger.
Who are your fellow travelers? Who is your trusty companion when life gets tough? Who can help you find solid ground? Who do you have that points you toward Jesus and his greatest hope for you?
Let’s make an encouraging list today! Part 1: jot down how God has made known to you the paths of life. Part 2: note the times you’re filled with joy in his presence. Take some of your prayer time today and thank him for these gifts.
What are some ways God’s word has lit your path? What are the verses that are particularly encouraging or revealing to you? How would you rewrite these verses as a prayer?
How are you passing on what has been made known to you by Jesus, or by friends who follow him? Who are some of the people who passed their faith and experience of Jesus on to you? How would you describe the nature of our connection to one another as we practice following Jesus?
"…I am with you always…" Where do you most readily sense God’s presence? Where do you most need his presence right now? How can you share your experiences of the presence of Jesus with you to someone who doesn’t yet believe?
As we follow Jesus, we are promised a life lived to the full. What does that look like for you? What could it look like if you allowed Jesus complete access to your life, purpose, and schedule? Where would you like to find more fullness of life; more joy?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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