Trail Lesson 201 – A – Deep Thoughts & Little Happenings

Today’s Scripture Passage:

John 14:1-6

Key Verse:

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

George and I have been having the best time exploring local trails. We’ve not really been on many of them pre-retirement, but there are enough to keep us busy for a long time to come.

Last Friday, we went to Skyline Drive and used the Appalachian Trail (AT) to access Compton Peak Trail. We enjoyed the views from the west end. The rest and shelter at the bottom of the east end was a welcome respite before our hike back to the car.

One view from Compton Peak Trail West

My mind always goes in a million directions. There’s just so much to see and learn on the trail, but two things keep coming back to me after this trip.

I’m only going to share one this week, and save the other for next week.

Every trail exists because someone went before us and made a way for us.

I have to tell you. Compton Peak Trail was a great hike. For me it was made doubly wonderful because a major portion of it was spent on the AT. Yes, I have a real love for the AT. In fact, it was once my dream to do a thru-hike.

Anyway, back to last Friday. This was not an easy hike. The All Trails site lists it as moderate, but it was hard for me. The east end was very steep and rocky. I was nervous in a couple of places, but the hard work seemed to double the satisfaction I felt when we reached the bottom.

If you look closely, you can see a portion of the trail we used to get to my position at the bottom. It cuts right between those two trees. (This wasn’t even the hard section, but I was too busy trying to stay safe to think about taking a picture for you.)

Okay, here’s the first spiritual picture I saw in this adventure.

We (all mankind) want to spend eternity in heaven. Heaven is where God lives and we cannot get there on our own. God knew this, so He made a way for us to get there. That way is not a trail through a beautiful forest. Nope! The Way is God Himself, in the flesh. His name is Jesus. He is The Way, the only Way, for anyone to be in relationship with God the Father. The only way to spend eternity with Him in His home in heaven.

You might be wondering why that’s the only way. Well, because God says so; He’s the Creator of heaven and earth. That means He is the only One who has the authority to say what is right or wrong (regardless of how many people vote otherwise). He’s the One who defines sin. He is holy. We are sinners.

No! We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Holiness and sinfulness cannot co-exist. Therefore, we had no access to God.

God created us, loves us, and wants to be in a personal relationship with each of us. So, He made a way for that to be possible. He came to earth, lived a perfect life in a flesh and blood body, died for sins He didn’t commit, and was resurrected again on the third day. This is the Good News.

Why is it Good News? Because in living a sinless life and then dying for sins He didn’t commit, Jesus paid for our sins in His flesh. His resurrection defeated the second death and our souls are now eternal. He defeated forever the power sin and death held over our lives.

One more thing, where we spend eternity is determined by our decision to either believe in and follow Jesus or our own way.

No one is ever forced to follow Jesus, but we will all one day acknowledge who He is, whether we choose to follow Him or not.

We all have an ever after.

If you want to spend yours in heaven, Jesus is The Way to get there!

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, John 3:16-17, Acts 2:21, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 10: 9-11, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:9-11

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.