The Way Toward Life

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. – Proverbs 14:12 (NRSV)

What way seems right to you? How did you discover this as the way? Might the way that seems right to you lead to death? What way leads to life? What is life?

I’ve heard this story before.
A university professor went to visit a famous and important theologian. While the theologian quietly served tea, the professor talked about theology, God, and the like. The theologian poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted out.
"You are like this cup," the theologian replied, "How can I help you to see God unless you first empty your cup."

When it comes to life I think sometimes Jesus shouts out, “How can I show you God and give you life unless you first empty your cup!” We go about our days filling ourselves up with all kinds of things, and then calling that life. Then if we go to church, or if we pray, or if we pick up some sacred writing, we wonder why we do not seem to be filled with peace. Perhaps it is because we are too filled with things that are not God, or false ideas of God, to be filled with the presence of God, and to be filled with life and life abundant. If the way of Jesus isn’t our way, then even if our way seems right its end is death. In each of us something needs to be emptied in order that we might be filled. What in you do you need to empty? Jesus is waiting to fill that emptiness.

With hope and joy,
Garrett