Reaching Your Destination

Jesus answered "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." --John 14:6

When my husband and I were still in the dating phase of our relationship, one of the dates we planned included going to a comedy club in downtown San Diego. Apparently MapQuest didn't understand the intricacies of downtown any better than we did, and we eventually pulled into the parking lot at a Pier 1 Imports store and asked for directions.

As it turns out, we were practically within walking distance of the street for which we've been searching. We've learned from that and similar experiences that although online maps may be useful to some degree, our best bet is to call ahead and get directions from someone who knows the neighborhood.

A similar thing can happen in our spiritual lives. Christians and non-Christians alike sometimes find themselves lost on the road of life. This is because we either lose sight of the destination or don't know for certain how to follow the map we have been given. Many of us hate to admit we are lost and our pride prevents us from asking for direction we so desperately need. Whether you've lost your way or aren't even sure you're looking to start a new journey, the best place to start is by acknowledging that without knowing and believing in Jesus, we cannot enter heaven.

I believe that within all of us there is an intense longing for something, someplace beyond this world where hurting can't find us anymore. Such a place exists. Heaven is real. The hard part for some people is understanding how to get there. The world tries to convince people that heaven is a place for people who have lived a moral life. Some religions would have you believe that there are a variety of ways to get into heaven and that you can create your own moral reality just as long as your doing your best to be a good person. Unfortunately, unless you are following God's road map and are trusting Jesus, you won't even make it to within walking distance of the entrance of heaven.

There is no shortcut to heaven and there is no alternative route. Jesus is the only way to the Father, and the Bible is God's way of providing us with a type of road map. Communication with God through prayer and regular study of the Bible is the best way I know of to keep from getting lost on the road of life.