Many Journeys, But One God

You've heard it say many times before, but Dr. Tony Evans has a great way of stating that you can't live your life of faith as a piggy-back to someone else. As he continued to talk about one's personal journey and Christ as the Good Shepherd and sheep knowing who they belong to by knowing the voice, I remembered just how wrong Oprah's statement on faith was.

If you'll remember, she talked about her belief that there were many paths to God. The problem with her statement was that paths are not converging to the point where we all arrive at the same God. Thus, we are not coming up the many sides of one mountain, but each, climbing the mountain based on our understanding.

What's funny about the human condition, especially in today's culture, we don't desire to be identified by others. We know who we are, we know how we want to be know, we know how we want to be perceived. And how dare someone wrongly identify our character, persona or being.

Meanwhile, God knows who He is. He has stated who He is. He has revealed who He is to all creation. And yet, we stand, albeit defiantly... this is who "God" is and what He means to me. And if that wasn't bad enough, we continually compare our starting point and position on the journey to others.

Those in ministry and in missions battle this frustration in their personal lives. Not to mention, are in a constant state of helping others navigate the same dilemma. Fortunately, God knows where each of us and what route we are on, as we endeavor to draw closer to Him and His presence. And every journey starts with one decision. What will you decide regarding Jesus Christ?

So, pray, this #missionsFriday, that people would come to the understanding of the true identity of God. May they not be consumed in the comparison of their journey, but focused on what God desires to accomplish in them and through them as He draws them to Himself. Pray that the Shepherd's voice would be heard; that we would know, understand and live in the fullness of our eternal identity that is grounded in Christ. Pray for strength for missionaries; that are both frustrated with their own life of faith or are struggling to help others navigate the Christian faith. May God grant them insight and understanding; bringing light and revelation to dark circumstances and confusing experiences.

May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
Fill your hearts and minds.
That you would know the truth
And live in the freedom and fullness
Of God's grace and glory
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC