The most blessed and glorious place for any person on earth to be is “in the Way,” for Jesus said, “I am the Way,” (John 14:6). He is the Way to Heaven and eternal life, and He is the way through every uncertainty and challenge here and now as well as the way to every victory and triumph in life.

“The Glory-land Way” by J.S. Torbitt is a favorite old hymn of mine that describes this well: “I’m in the way, the bright and shining way. I’m in the glory-land way. Telling the world that Jesus saves today, yes, I’m in the glory-land way.” God plants our feet on and in that way, when we come to the realization of our sinful humanity, repent of our condition and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our entire and eternal being. This is referred to in John 3:3,5, as being “born again” without which no person will ever see or enter into the kingdom of God according to Jesus’ own words.

Now let’s consider some perils we must be alert for on life’s pathway with many choices and decisions to make as we encounter a variety of opportunities and challenges. God warns us in His Word of the danger of trusting in our own wisdom to navigate the simple and complex situations that are a part of every human existence.

We are admonished in Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him,” not only in the complicated, dangerous and stormy straits, but in the smoother waters as well. Another Scripture that reminds us of our need for total dependence on the direction of our God is found in Jeremiah 10:23, “O Lord, I know that the way of man (any person) is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Proverbs 14:12 tells us, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man (person), but the end thereof are the ways of death.” This warning of “following your heart,” as some encourage us to do, instead of “following our God” is so sobering God repeated it in Proverbs 16:25.

Then there are the wonderful promises of seeking and choosing God’s way. “The steps of a good man (person) are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in His way,” (Psalm 37:23). God delights in the good way He has planned for His children, and the way He has for us is aways delightful in the end. Verse 5 of this chapter assures us, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” A precious promise, also, is found in Verse 31 speaking of the righteous, “The law of God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”

Finally, we see the peace of going God’s way. Proverbs 3:17 tells us that, when we choose God’s wisdom for our walk, all our “ways are ways of pleasantness and peace.” One final glorious thought today comes from the old hymn by James Rowe and L. B. Register, “I’m going that way. I’m going that way, and Jesus the Savior I adore is with me each day. I’m clinging to Him and never to stray. Yes, singing His praises all day long, I’m going that way.”

It is my prayer that, if you are not on the Jesus way, you will choose that path this day.

— Randy Zinn is pastor of Russell Missionary Baptist Church, Russell, Ark.; formerly of Okmulgee.