There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12

            Recently I watched an interview that left me uneasy. A famous musician, whose body of work dates backs decades, shared his spiritual journey. He grew up in a home under a religion that didn’t accurately follow the Bible’s instructions, though it was centered on Jesus. As an adult he chose to abandon this religion and turn to a form of spiritualism he felt was right. He confessed his belief in “god” and his support of love and peace. He talked of being one with the universe and acknowledged his responsibility to be a good custodian of this fragile place. Jesus, however, was not a part of his newfound faith. 

            As he spoke I saw a map of youthful steps veering from one path onto another. The choices the new path offered seemed good. In many ways the new path even looked harmless, but by measuring the practices of this new pathway against the Word of God, it came clear that he had placed himself on a crash course toward destruction. 

            I too was raised in a home under the same religion as this man. It didn’t work for him, and it didn’t work for me. At an early age I had a hungry heart. I longed for unity with God. So when I became an adult I also stepped away from this religion and found a new pathway. 

            Permit me a moment to share an illustration that relates to the shift in both of our lives. 

            A research team was drilling for buried treasure on Nova Scotia. The debris they excavated caused them to question whether their boreholes were drilling straight. So they brought in an expert with laser technology to measure the drill’s pathway. Their suspicions were correct. While the drill remained on course for the better part of the excavation, it veered off course by several inches somewhere around 80 feet into the earth. By the time the drill reached the target site it was several feet off course. From the surface the pathway looked accurate, but in reality it had missed the mark altogether. 

            Both the musician and I went mining when we were young adults. While he went mining into the world, I went mining in a leather bound book that sits just inches from the keyboard I am typing on right now. It is my beloved Bible.

            The binder is tattered from years of use. Tissue-thin pages are marked with notes throughout – notes revealing precious mysteries that the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear as I read. By diving into Scripture I found the truest of treasures. I found the Truth. His name is Jesus and He is the very Word of God. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was madethat was made.             John 1:1-3 (underline bold emphasis mine)

            Without Jesus, we have nothing. Not only did God’s Word bring me into a close relationship with Jesus but it has served as my compass for all of my adult life. It has shown me the difference between worldly philosophies and divine truth. It has redirected my crooked steps when I thought I was walking straight. Similarly to the laser technology at the drill site on Nova Scotia it has accurately pointed me to heavenly treasures. When I’m drilling in the Bible my faith takes me to new heights and my spirit comes alive. Without the Word of God there is no truth.

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12                                                                              

            My heart is heavy over the many people in our world who have stepped onto a spiritual path to pursue pagan practices rather than Jesus. They pursue what seems right to them. But without Jesus their faith is empty, their good works in vain. 

            There are three markers that produce good spiritual health – prayer, praise, and the Word of God. When we pursue all three both individually and collectively as a church body we prepare the way for the Lord to nest over our personal lives and over our congregation. Isn’t that what we all want? 

            Oh God, give us a passionate desire to read Your Word, to fall down on our knees in holy reverence to You, and lips that spill forth praise and thanksgiving for all that You have done. Help us to seek the only Truth and the only Way so we enter into the only Life there ever was, is, or will be. 

Amen and Amen.