It seems like for us, life is much like a highway. All of us seem to be racing down a highway, as fast as we can go. Not really knowing what we are speeding towards, just in a big hurry to get there. The world’s highway is crowded with cars, jockeying for position. The shoulders of the road are full of shredded tires and litter. Big, fast expensive cars drive right up behind older, slower cars and flash their lights for them to move over. There are many billboards along the way, advertising things meant to bring happiness. They advertise new cars, the coldest lite beer (sold by girls in bikinis), and vacations to far away places. When someone crashes on this highway the other drivers just push harder on their gas pedals, to take advantage of the gap in the traffic.

     There is another highway for Christians. It is reached by a big sweeping off ramp from the world’s highway. It is cleaner than the world’s road. The billboards don’t advertise beer. They sell inspired books and music; Bible conferences and mega-churches. The road is less crowded, but the cars still fly by at breakneck speeds. And they still don’t really know where they are headed. Drivers slow when there is an accident, but then they speed on. But they toss out a prayer as they go. There are ramps to take you back to the world’s highway with very easy access.

    As you race along the Christian highway, you can catch a glimpse of another road next to the highway. There are no cars on this road. There aren’t even any fancy hiking boots. It is a foot path. You walk along this path with Jesus. Sometimes you may run. Jesus runs alongside, pacing you. But mostly you walk together. In fact sometimes you stop. For frustrating, agonizing days you may just sit. You might take a side trip and climb a steep hill. Sometimes the path even circles back around and take you where you have already been. When someone stops, everyone nearby stops alongside and helps. They stay until he is able to continue.

    Everyone on this path knows where they will end up. But they know that the destination isn’t the point. The journey along the Way is what matters.

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

    Based on a Imago Dei Church podcast