The Way

When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:

 "I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation. As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city. Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me. But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets. I have a hope in God -- a hope that they themselves also accept -- that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices. While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance. But there were some Jews from Asia -- they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"

 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case." Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs. ~ Acts 24:10-23


Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. ~ Lao Tzu


I wish often that we were still called the people of the Way.  It encompasses so many of the complexities of being a Christian.  It's active.  It moves.  It reminds us of not just the way of life, but also the way of Jesus' death and the way of our hope.  

It says that we are a people of a journey.  

And it says simply that God is also about a journey.  To us.

When I am being the least faithful, whether to God, or really to anything important in my life, it is because I have gotten settled.  I've gotten comfortable in a place and don't want to move.

But a person of the way is always moving.  Always part of the action.  Always being tuned to where God is leading.

There is nothing about The Way that implies a straight line.  The Way twists and turns.  The Way is full of change.  Change isn't something that we as a people like all that much, but Jesus' Way was all about change.  

 Jesus came as Change.  

 He came to initiate a new Way.  A life that continues with the promise of the resurrection.  A life that is meant to have meaning, fullness, and abundance.  A life that reaches out to our neighbor in love and gives them a hand on their Way.

The Way is often fraught with sorrow or danger, but also filled with hope and joy.  

We are meant to be a people of the Way still.  Right now in this country - in the world even - we are daily being called to this Way of change. It isn't going to be easy, letting go of that which has kept us comfortable. It's going to be a challenging way.

But it is a way in which we are in good company.


Prayer: God of the journey, prepare us.  Help us not to fear the changes that come before us on our way of faith.  Help us to trust always in your gracious guidance and follow where you lead.  Amen.

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