Nothing reveals my inner control freak like letting a friend take over the GPS while I drive. Accustomed to seeing each upcoming turn on Google maps, I assault my passenger-navigator with questions: When is my next turn? How much longer on this road? How many miles until we’re there? I’m sure my gracious navigator wishes I would shut up and drive, trusting that we are on the right road, and she will get us to our destination safely.
Thomas is a bit like an angsty driver in today’s passage. Jesus holds the GPS: “I am going away to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). But Thomas needs more details, a specific address: “‘Lord,’ Thomas said, ‘we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?’” (v.5).
Jesus’s answer to Thomas was simply, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (v.6, emphasis added). He did not provide Thomas with a specific address, but Jesus did point to the road that would get him there.
This is a reassuring promise to a control freak like me, and it’s as much a promise for the life to come as it is for our lives today. So often I feel like I need to know my exact destination and then figure out how to get there. Where is my career headed? How do I mend this broken friendship? Where will I live when my lease is up? Jesus may not provide specific answers, but He has asked us to believe and trust in the way He’s paved for us.
Where is my career headed?
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
How do I mend this broken friendship?
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Where will I live when my lease is up?
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Want to know where your life is headed? Follow the way of Jesus. Live life in the way He told us to live it. Believe in God, believe also in Christ, and you will get to where you’re supposed to go.
Living in the way of Jesus is counterintuitive for those of us who like to both drive and hold the GPS. It requires surrender. It requires us to trust our navigator. When we do this, however hard it may be, we’re able to be present on the journey without worrying about the destination.
Though we cannot point to it on a map, ultimately, we know where are headed. Perhaps we don’t know how long it will take us to get there, but one thing we know for sure: Christ our Lord has prepared a place for us there, and He is coming back to receive us to Himself (v.3). For that promise, let us say, Praise be to God!
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34 thoughts on "Jesus Brings Us Home"
Recently I have been looking for a new apartment and everything i find never suits me, and I have been wanting it so badly and so soon that I forget that my life is on Gods timing. I must breathe and let Him take control of my navigation and I will be where He wants me. Pray for me, that I will have patience.
I really needed to read this. It gave me so much assurance in Christ. I’ve been struggling with so much — relationships, schooling etc… but knowing that Christ is the navigator of my life, is so comforting because I know that in the end I’ll get to my destination eventually and that is where Christ is.
Thank you. Those questions were spot on for me. Where is my career headed? What’s going to happen with this relationship? Where am I going to live? All applicable. Thank you for reminding me that even though patience is not my virtue and it’s currently being tried, that as long as I follow gods footsteps it’ll all work out.
”And you know the way to where I am going.” We don’t know the final destination, but we know The Way who will bring us there!
I’ve read these verses before (grew up in the church) but much like all God’s word every time I read it God points out something different. Today it was “the life”. I am the way the truth and the life is not a new phrase but words “the life” stuck out to me.
No only is He the way to receive everlasting life he is the way to live. Thank you Jesus for your continual grace as I stumble through life hoping it looks even an ounce like yours.
Home is where Jesus is. I may not understand His plan or my path. He doesn’t ask me to do so. All He desires is for me to follow Him. Follow if the path is dark or light. Straight or twisted. Easy or hard. Whatever my path looks like, it will lead me home if I am following Him.
Good definitely read my thoughts today, and pointed me in the direction of reading today’s message. My husband is being deployed next month and I feel like it’s coming up so fast, I wish time would slow down. But today God reminded me he’s in control, and has my worries taken care of. Revelations 21:4 is my favorite verse, and hei knew I needed to hear it today.
So often we look to, and talk to others to seek guidance on what’s happening in our lives. In doing so we miss out on the path, and the blessing that God has for us. Jesus is the way, the truth, and life. Ultimately it is HIS will, and HIS way…our faith. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives, we just need to surrender, and let Him hold the GPS. ❤️
Needed this today. Praying that the Holy Spirit will help me to be still, and let Him work.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
Oh how i struggle so often with this. I like to drive… to know where i am going… to be in CONTROL. But Jesus asks us to trust him and follow him knowing he will bring us to where we need to be at just the right time.
God, help me to rely more on you and not on myself. You are perfect in all your ways… i want to follow your lead knowing you are working it all out for me.
I have never been good with directions… I need them to any new place I might be going, no matter how close or far sway.
Oops! Didn’t get to finish typing. So, I’ve always lacked a sense of direction when it comes to navigating… that’s not one of my gifts. Over the years, I’ve really struggled with letting go of control over my own life, and giving it to God. I’ve been reading the SRT studies daily for about 2.5 years now, and they have really made a difference in my life. I am able to pray more about doing God’s will than my own. I feel I’ve been more obedient to Him instead of myself. That’s not to say I have no control issues- they’re definitely still there, but I now I have grown in this area.
Several times a day I remind myself I cannot do this day without Jesus. He plan has already been laid out and all I have to do is trust him.
I love to this devotion by Andrea. In a nutshell to what she said: I will get to where I’m supposed to. All I need to do is follow Jesus because He is the way the truth and the LIFE.
Susan, please know this: *there is nothing that can take away your salvation, not even your own sin.*
If you believe that Jesus is the only way to an eternal relationship with God, your salvation is secure. If you have acknowledged to God that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and you trust that the only one to save you is Jesus, you are God’s forever. When we believe and trust Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to have eternal life with God forever; sins past, present, and future are null and void in God’s eyes. He sees you as righteous and holy. Jesus blood washes you clean. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is nothing you can or cannot do that will take away God’s promise to you of eternity with Him.
Romans 10:9
Romans 8:38-39
John 10:28
The passage you are talking about is about those people who have never acknowledged Jesus as Lord, nor accepted Him as Savior.
Today was very effective for me. I have a hard time surrendering and letting Jesus take control. Thank you SRT
Susan, Revelation 21:8 is referring to unbelievers, not one who is saved by faith in Christ. In Christ we have His righteousness and are completely acceptable, not detestable. In Christ we are loved and His children. In Christ we are Gods handiwork and seated with Him in the heavenly realms. There are many more verses stating who we are in Christ! ❤️ (Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 John 3:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21)Maybe this will help: https://www.gotquestions.org/second-death.html
Where will I find a job?
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Where should I live?
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Should I continue to pursue this relationship?
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Jesus is the answer. It’s not my job to calculate the route as much as I would like to. I am only to pay attention and follow where he leads. One thing I like about the GPS analogy is that when I use it on my phone, I can only see about 100 yards ahead on the map and sometimes that really bothers me because I want to look farther ahead to see what roads are coming up. But I can only do the next step, the step right in front of me. God doesn’t give me the whole map. He gives me one direction at a time and asks me to be obedient in that.
One word that I have been focusing on this year is UNFOLD. I am not a patient person. I like to rush and manipulate the outcome so that it gets here faster but God asks me to wait and to trust him. I have seen his plans for me unfold like never before this year and in ways I could never imagine.
Unfold is a beautiful word. One I’d like to slow down enough to see more in my life. Thank you for sharing your comment!
I needed to read this today. He IS the Way, He IS the Truth, He IS the Life. I can trust Him to lead me, I don’t need to do it on my own or on my terms even, His terms!
Control…we have issues with this word. We want to be in control but we’re not and accepting that fact could be one of the greatest things! Stepping away from the control panel, so to speak, gives God the opportunity to step into the spot He longs to have in our lives and then Jesus can navigate as we trust, follow and obey the directions given.
Is no one else concerned about the passage in Revelation 21:8 “But the cowards, faithless, detestable…- their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”? Does God see me as a coward when I shrink away from sharing my faith, or don’t stand up to someone who is committing a wrong? Does that make me faithless and detestable in God’s eyes? Am I willing to risk my eternity to find out? This verse stopped me in my tracks! It’s GO time! Pray that I will be able to stand firm in my faith when put to the test. That I will be ready to give an answer for the Hope that I have. Have a Hallelujah Friday!
Andrea’s GPS example is all too true for me! Lord, help me to surrender to you and let go of this need for control.
My thoughts exactly. I am such a control freak. Help me, Jesus to live in the moment and know that you are in control.
Surrender. How many Sundays do I surrender my problems and dilemmas to God only to pick them back up and take them with me. Christ truly is the way and the only one to put our faith and trust in. Help me to lean more on the assurances of Christ and less on myself.
I like the GPS analogy. I rely on mine frequently. Not only does it show me the way but it will reroute me if I happen to take a wrong turn. It doesn’t condemn me for veering off course. It simply tells me it will recalculate my route to get me once again on the right way. I’ll still end up at my original destination. How grateful I am that God does not throw up His hands and leave me when I wilfully and stubbornly go my own way. He stays by my side and shows me the path to take. He is indeed the way, the truth and the life.
Thank you SRT for this study. It has been a blessing. God has used it to guide, comfort, and give peace over and over through these weeks. Interestingly, my bookmark was moved twice, causing me to read the wrong day’s scripture, except the scripture was exactly what I needed for that day. God is good.
Many have prayed for us as my mother-in-law dies. This cancer thing is uglier than I realized. Please don’t get me wrong, God is and has been faithful, and we only offer Him praise for His care and goodness to her and us. What I didn’t realize was the roller-coasterness of it. One day/night we are sure she will not last, and then she does. It is “different” vacillating back and forth between life and death. Moving from work, handling things, loving on people and taking care of this and that, and then leaving the responsibilities and moments to wait, wait on the end – to offer care, peace, and love as best as you are able in Christ. To hold a hand, speak a word, and touch a cheek that might be a last. Death has a sting.
I thank you for the prayers but, oh, join me in the praise! How much more has this journey opened my heart to love, praise, and thank God, through Jesus, for overcoming death, for offering forgiveness, and eternal LIFE forever with Him. The beauty of the hope and peace is a treasure. I am awed and amazed Lord. You are our Rock, our Salvation, the Holy One, we love You and praise You.
Amen
Selah
❤️❤️❤️ beautiful
“Are we there yet? How much farther is it?”
Some days this journey seems so long. I know the destination is my eternal home in the house with many rooms in the presence of my God and King, but along the way I get distracted by side roads, get turned around, and I am often close to running out of gas. I am reminded of the long drive from my home to my mom’s home, I will call her frequently along the way to let her know where I am and hear her voice which encourages me and lightens my heart as I anticipate my arrival. On this long journey, I can pray constantly to let my Father know where I am and hear His voice through His Word. He encourages me and my heart thrills to think of the moment when I will step through his gate. Still I get so tired and I get distracted by life, pain, injustice, unfairness. I see warning signs along the road that caution me to forgive and let go of bitterness, to stay the course, and to trust wholly in God. So I will turn up the radio and sing in full voice my songs of praise. I will admire and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation as I pass through this world. And I will rejoice at the mile markers that measures the growth of my faith and swell with excitement when I recognize the familiar “hand of God” in my life landmarks that are evidence that I am nearing my destination—my eternal home. “Are we there yet?” Not yet. But There is much to see and do along the way!
Praying for you Dorothy. May the Lord take your depression and anxiety in his hand and he is with you every step of the day. Take care dear sister.
I’m reading this early in the morning. It is still dark, and I am tired. In Revelation it says there will be no more night. We won’t need the sun or moon because God’s glory illuminates it and the Lamb is the lamp. I’m thankful we have the darkness of night now while sleeping. God really does think of everything for us! I’m just amazed this morning how wonderful He is, and how He is in every detail. However, I’m looking forward to the time when there is no more night!
Praise God!! I ask you my sisters in Christ to pray for my son and his fiance’; on Wednesday she will have embryos implanted. She is 40 and has some health issues but I know that God will bless them with a child if that is what the Lord has planned for them.
I also ask for prayers for myself, I live in the Kansas City area and right now we have had a great deal of rain and are due to have more rain; we have had flash-floods and when these conditions happen I become anxious, depressed and have difficulty sleeping because in 2003 my older son drowned after conditions similar to these.
This weeks lessons have been very helpful but I have strayed and am just now getting caught up with the devotions.
May God and Christ bless all of you my sisters and have a blessed weekend.
Praying…
Praying!!
May God wrap his loving arms around you, comfort you, and keep you safe. In his great name! Amen.
I’m so sorry about your son.