THE JOURNEY
Proverbs 1:1 - 5
An old quote attributed to an ancient Chinese philosopher named Lao Tzu, who lived in the 4th century BC goes as follows; “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” What Lao Tzu implies with this philosophical thought is that it does not matter whether you use your left foot or your right foot to step out. What is important is that you make that first step.
For many an important journey is one that can be life changing. If your journey is of this type than it is best not to look behind you to see where you came from. If you do so, you may see heart break, conflict, tears and longing. The consequences could also be very serious if you do look back, just ask Lot’s wife. Therefore, when one begins a very important journey one should only look ahead towards your ultimate destination.
I come from a family that loved to go on journeys. We started going on our trips when I was around six years old. We started our adventures locally in Southern California. Eventually, we moved up to the Sierra Nevada mountains and then into Oregon and Washington. My sister and I enjoyed the experiences and adventures. We would often take off up a trail barely staying in sight of our parents. It wasn’t uncommon for us to get in trouble by coming upon a rattlesnake in the middle of the trail or even a moose. Being kids, we didn’t know better and we would hightail it back to our parents knowing they would protect us.
By the time I graduated from High School, my family and I had visited every state between the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. And from the Mexican to the Canadian border.
Now in my case, a journey often began with a tank full of gas more than it did with taking the first step. In addition my journey’s were more for adventure and to see the beauty of our country and to enjoy God’s Nature.
As an individual as well as part of a family I have been to many new places and seen many new faces. My sense of wanderlust has never really diminished and I still get excited by traveling somewhere new.
There are many different types of journeys we may take in our lifetime. As I just discussed there is the journey for adventure. One can also take a journey for discovery,
A journey for truth,
A journey for enlightenment
An emotional journey,
An imaginative journey,
A spiritual journey.
Today, I would like to focus on the latter type of journey. The spiritual journey with God. For some of you the journey with God most likely started with a niggling in the brain . . . a whisper perhaps from the Holy Spirit. You probably first noticed that whisper when you realized there was this emptiness in your soul. A hole that you decided needed to be filled. After much thought and soul searching you believed this emptiness you felt was of a spiritual nature. From this realization you quickly concluded that you needed to start attending church. Once you started attending church you felt that something was still missing. Perhaps, it was in the message you were hearing each week. Maybe, you were not satisfied with just the message and needed something in addition. Whether you questioned the message you were hearing each week or you just needed more than the message you began to study your Bible. While studying you possibly felt what you were reading did not always jive with what you heard at the current church you were attending. So, you began visiting other churches while continuing your study of the Bible.
Over the course of time while studying the Bible and attending various churches you might have come across a flyer about a Revelation Seminar. Some of you might have received a personal invitation from a friend, family member or possibly a co-worker or neighbor. Others, might have come across the message by watching Amazing Facts or Faith for Today on the TV or hearing the programs on the radio or computer. In any case, you eventually attended this church and suddenly that void in your soul was filled.
For some, this was the church we grew up in. Our parents brought us to church each week. As we grew older some of us continued to believe in this message and had no desire to attend other churches. There were some who grew up in the this faith and for whatever reason they stopped attending once they became adults. Or perhaps, never stopped believing, but for whatever reason might have strayed off the path and stopped going to church for several years. At some point these individuals also began to feel that void in their soul or the still small voice in their head. Once they recognized the impetus to return to church they ended up where they started as a child; attending this church.
Then there are others who stopped going to our church and began attending a another church. Everything was going along hunky-dorey until they started noticing there was something wrong with the theology of that particular church. They may have attended service with several different faiths, but felt in their heart that the true message was in this church.
Bottom line, you are here now. Your journey may not have been a straight line as far as going from point A to point B. You most likely zigged and zagged a bit. Sort of like how the Hebrews traveled across the Sinai when they left Egypt for the Promised land. A journey that should have taken less than a month became a marathon of 40 years. Eventually though, you ended up in the right spot, even if it took you awhile.
Our journey to God may have begun on different paths. What path we took does not really matter. What matters is where we ended up. For those that are here, I believe we ended up in the right place.
So, what do we do now? Do we keep traveling? Do we keep studying? Or, do we decide our journey is over. That our desire to discover has waned. Do we believe that having finally arrived we can just park the car and stay?
I propose that our journey has only just began. I believe that it is incumbent upon us to continue on a journey of discovery. I heard a quote that I like and it goes something like this, “knowing the Scriptures is knowing Christ.” I believe it is imperative that we continue studying the scriptures. When I attended La Sierra College one of my theology professors shared with us that he read the Bible cover to cover every year. He also told us that every year he discovered something new in the Scriptures. I should also mention that he was 72 years old and had been an Adventist all his life.
Bottom line, if we truly wish to know what it is to be Christ-like than we must diligently study the scriptures continuously. After all, isn’t that our goal as Christians? To be Christ-like?
To become Christ-like we cannot put our Bibles under our pillow at night and hope that by osmosis we will absorb and understand the scriptures while we sleep. If we believe that then when the second coming arrives we will find ourselves left on earth while the saints ascend to heaven with Christ and the angels.
In Acts 17:11 we read that the Bereans were diligent in studying the scriptures daily. They wished to know the truth and knew that could only be found by studying the scriptures themselves rather than listening to someone expound on them. As we read the scriptures it is easy for each one of us to develop our own opinions and understanding of these holy writings.
Because of this, every one of us can also develop a personal bias of the scriptures meaning. When we lecture, teach or give sermons our personal bias will unfortunately seep into our discussions, our sermons and our teaching. We cannot prevent that from happening no matter how hard we try. Therefore, like the Bereans, when we sit down to study the scriptures before we even crack open the Bible, we must pray to God for guidance and understanding. Only then will we learn the truth. Only then will we be able to set aside our bias and possible misunderstandings and come into concert with God’s true message.
By studying the scriptures we learn. By studying our Bibles we will become more capable about knowing when Satan tries to deceive us. By studying constantly and diligently we will grow to understand Christ and his message more fully. We will be able to learn more completely why it was necessary for Christ to die on the cross. We will also be able to gain insight into the cost of Christ’s sacrifice.
In Proverbs 1:5 we are told, “the wise hears and increases learning; and by understanding one gets wisdom.” Webster’s dictionary defines wisdom as “ the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right; discernment or insight.”
Thus, wisdom is more than being educated in a school. It also encompasses life experience and the search for knowledge and understanding. Our studies of the Bible will also tell us that wisdom comes from God. Solomon prayed for wisdom and God granted that prayer. His prayer was heartfelt, honest and simplistic. It was offered in true piety and belief that it would be granted. God recognized the faith that Solomon had and the honesty of the prayer in that he desired the wisdom so that he may lead the people of his kingdom faithfully, honestly and fairly. Qualities that I am sure many of us desire to have also.
Now, it certainly is not my place to knock education. I am a person who loves to learn. I also love to read. I have four different bookshelves in my study. They are overflowing with books, so much so there are books piled on the floor and on top of other books on the shelves. The vast majority of my books are what only true bibliophiles would like in that they are of the educational variety: religion, history, science and medicine. I also have almost all of E.G. Whites books, a dozen bibles and several commentary sets. Some of my books date back to the early 1900's and a couple from the 1800's.
I also have three college degrees. So, I can truthfully say I am educated. Some might say over-educated. Does that make me wise? No. Does it help me in sermon preparation or studying the Sabbath School lesson prior to teaching? Perhaps, but unlikely. It does not mean though that I can be an effective teacher or a riveting sermon presenter. It just means that I am educated.
What will make me a better teacher or preacher though is knowing the Bible. More importantly though, it is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To get to know Christ and to have the indwelling Holy Spirit one must be in prayer and continuously studying the Scriptures.
Anyone can become a good speaker and teacher just by knowing Christ personally and have an ongoing daily relationship with him. It does not require a college degree. It does though require a personal relationship with God.
And that is what each of us wants to achieve when they begin their journey with Christ. To achieve a ongoing
daily
personal relationship with Christ.
When I attended La Sierra College I lived in the dormitory my freshman year. As students attending the school we were all required to attend Thursday Worship service. In fact, all the professors, staff and administrators had to attend Thursday worship. Believe it or not, attendance was taken of everyone when they arrived at the church for the service. Furthermore, we all had assigned seats and therefore we had to enter the church through specific doors where the attendance was taken. Dormitory students also had to attend Sabbath Service and Prayer Meeting weekly.
During the Thursday Worship services we heard some very inspiring messages from the Pastors and professors. On occasion we had guest speakers. Sometimes, the speaker was a person just newly converted to Christianity. Many of these guest speakers had nothing more than a High School education. But, because of their conversion experience and the indwelling Spirit some presented a very dynamic and inspiring message.
Think of the early Apostles: Peter, John, Paul, James, Matthew. Many of these men were uneducated fishermen. Yet, they valiantly traveled throughout the Mediterranean Basin preaching the Gospel Message and converting thousands. How were they able to do that? It was a journey that began for some of them with Christ coming up and saying “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” They all developed a deep abiding personal relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit gave them the courage and knowledge needed to be an effective missionary of Christ. Something that each one us can achieve if we only let the Holy Spirit guide us.
Two of the many factors people will notice in someone who has begun a honest relationship with God is in their actions and in their demeanor. A person with a true relationship will be someone that expresses joy. The joy will be noticeable on their face, easily heard in their voice and obviously discerned in their bearing as they walk. The individual with a close personal relationship with God is not weighed down with the burdens one normally carries as they go through life. A person on a journey with God has turned all their worries and burdens over to God knowing full well that God will take care of them.
A person on a journey with God will always seek ways to share their knowledge and experiences with God to others. It cannot be helped, it will just bubble out of the individual. The individual on a true journey will seek to help others whether it be spending time with others, sharing burdens, taking someone to a doctor’s office or grocery shopping. Perhaps, just holding their hand or giving them a shoulder to cry on when life’s tribulations become too overwhelming.
A person on a true journey with God will not gossip, backstab, or demean another individual. Instead, they will try to uplift others. They will endeavor to share even with their enemy the joys of what it means to be a Christian. They will seek to restore breaches with former friends or family members and be slow to criticize another person.
Remember the story in John 6 about the fishes and bread? Hundreds of people came to listen to Christ speak. Many had not bothered to bring food. Others just didn’t have the means to purchase food. Some may have been on a quick journey and didn’t think they needed to pack a lunch, however when they came upon Jesus speaking they stopped to listen.
Christ took pity on them and decided to feed them physically while also doing so spiritually. He asked the disciples to go and gather food from those that brought a meal so that it could be divided up amongst the vast throng. Most of the disciples were skeptical. Yet, Andrew determined to trust and obey Christ, found a young boy with some bread and a few fish. Andrew knew it would not be enough, but he trusted that Jesus could make something happen to fulfill his desire to feed the people.
Trust in the Lord to make something from nothing. Trust in the Lord . . . that is what happens when we begin a true journey with Christ. We trust him to take care of us. Trust him to protect us. Trust him to feed us physically and spiritually. However, we must do our part too. We must study and pray diligently. We must not neglect ourselves or others in taking care of our bodies, our minds and our spirit.
It goes without saying that as you travel on your journey you are never alone. Walking beside you and sometimes even carrying you is the Lord. As disciples we should also be cognizant of our duties as a disciple. Open your Bibles to Matthew 28. Matthew 28 and verses 19 and 20 tells us that we are to spread the news of the gospel to all so that they too can become disciples. So as we journey, we should be inviting others to join us. After all, why should we enjoy the adventures, experiences and beauty of a walk with God all by ourselves?
Matthew 28 also tells us that we are not just disciples, but also evangelists. Now you may be wondering how in the world are you going to evangelize? All of us have been given talents by God. Turn with me now to 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 4; “there are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. 5There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. 6And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. 7God works in all of us in everything we do. Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good.”
Paul goes on and itemizes many of the different gifts or talents that God has given to the members of his church. So, have no fear that you will be required to come up here to preach or teach. That may not be the talent given to you. However, as a disciple and evangelist, God expects you to spread the gospel.
Back in the early 20th century when elevators were still rather new, a person was employed to operate the elevator. Whether in a department store, office building or apartment building, the law required an elevator operator.
Elder Randy Roberts tells the store of a certain elevator operator who took to heart what Matthew tells disciples what they should do in chapter 28. When asked by his minister how he, an elevator operator spreads the Good News he replied, “I’m just a nobody who tells anybody that there is somebody who wants to save everybody.”
Did you hear what he said? Picture in your mind entering an elevator. Standing to one side is a man in some type of uniform asking you which floor you wish to go to. Once he closes the cage door, he pushes the button and turns the knob that lifts the elevator. Suddenly, you and he are now caged in a small space for a few moments when he turns to you and tells you that God loves you and wants you to be with Him in heaven for eternity. Then the elevator stops at the floor you requested and you depart the elevator.
It only took a few seconds, but in that brief space of time a humble elevator operator took the opportunity to tell you that God loves you. He wasn’t a preacher or a teacher. He did not present a fiery sermon or teach a dynamic Sabbath School class. He just said a few words in the elevator during the brief moment of time you were in there to let you know the Good News.
That is one example of how to evangelize. Let me give you another example. One day my wife and I had traveled downtown to join some friends for a bite to eat at an outdoor restaurant. While downtown we stopped to fuel-up our truck. On the back window of the truck I have a couple of decals that let’s anyone who cares know that I was in the military and what I did. As I was pumping gas a gentleman in a car pulled up behind our truck waiting for me to finish so he could fuel up his car. He saw my decals and got out of his car and approached me. He asked me how long I served in the military and where I was stationed. After we talked for a few moments he gave me a card with a poem on one side that expressed gratitude for my service in the military and a star on the other side. He said thank you for serving and got back in his car. A simple gesture that meant a lot.
The point here is that as an evangelist one could just take a few moments to hand out a tract to a total stranger that tells that person about God’s love for them.
In our journey with God, we will travel to many new places and meet many new people. As we look at their faces we will see a variety of emotions and expressions; happiness,
sadness,
weariness,
despair,
exhaustion,
hopelessness,
love or hate, perhaps friendliness or a look that says leave me alone. All of these people are children of God. Many of them do not know that they are a child of God. Some simply do not care. All of them however, God wants to save. You and I are His instrument to help save these people.
Curiously in the New Testament when speaking of the embryonic Christian Church, you will not find the individuals attending the church referred to as members. Neither are they referred to as Christians. Indeed, the New Testament refers to everyone as a disciple. Matthew 28 tells us that disciples go out and make new disciples.
As I close neither I nor anyone else can promise that your journey with God will be easy. There will be times when the road you travel will be rocky and hard,
other times when it will be soft as sand.
Sometimes there will be peaks
And other times there will be valleys.
There will be times when it is smooth sailing as if on a gentle sun dappled sea,
And other times when it feels like your in the midst of a hurricane.
No matter the weather or the condition of the road God promises we will never travel alone on our life changing journey. Additionally, God will expect us to stop along the road and invite others to join us and make disciples of our new acquaintances.
It is my hope and prayer that you will find your journey to be an adventure that brings you joy. A journey that you will never want to quit. A journey that will bring you right to the pearly gates of New Jerusalem.
