Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
John 14: 6 (ESV)“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7: 14 (NIV)“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8: 28 (NASB)“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7: 12 (ESV)
Over thirty years ago Dennis DeYoung, a devout Roman Catholic, and lead vocalist and keyboardist with Styx, wrote what became a classic song— “Show Me the Way.”
Intended as a prayer, he wrote the song about the struggle he was going through to keep his faith in a “world so filled with hatred.”
I wonder its relevance today.
As we prepared last week to remember those precious lives lost and the heroic firefighters and police officers of September 11, 2001, our Nation was also stunned by the evil horrific killing of thirty-one year old Charlie Kirk while speaking and engaging with 3,000 students gathered on the campus of Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah.
Hatred, vitriolic rhetoric, physical violence, and more against so many others. Coming from lives marked by selfishness, and self-centeredness, rather than selflessness and grace.
Demonization of others in postings on social media. By seemingly intelligent people still capable of having a positive impact in the world, but choosing instead to demean and destroy others.
By people of no apparent faith, and also by people who claim to be of some faith, even those who attend churches, which claim to follow Jesus Christ.
All, sadly, increasing more and more, year after year.
And it all needs to stop. Time to turn His Way.
As we remember Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan as an example which we all should follow. (Luke 10: 25-37).
The same Jesus who shared with all of us, this call to action to embrace—
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7: 12 (ESV)
The song “Show Me the Way” begins with these words—
Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there’s a heaven,
And every day I’m more confused as the saints turn into sinners.
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child, have fallen to idols of clay,
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I’ve lost my faith.
And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred.
I close my eyes and know there’s peace, in a world so filled with hatred.
Then I wake up each morning and turn on the news, to find we’ve so far to go,
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won’t know…
Show me the way, show me the way.
Give me the strength and the courage to believe that I’ll get there someday.
And please show me the way…
Sadly, those words ring true today, as they did then. Demonization, despair, confusion, fallen heroes, hopelessness, hatred in too many places around the world.
So, then, what now? How do we begin to heal?
Just One Answer— “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7: 14 (NIV)
Just One Way— “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14: 6 (ESV)
The Good News— No matter what. No matter why. No matter the uncertainty, despair, sense of aloneness, or hopelessness. God is there.
What Now? Time to turn His Way.
One Answer. One Way.
The song concludes with these lines—
“Every night I say a prayer, in the hope that there’s a heaven.
And if I see Your Light, should I believe, tell me how will I know.”
Believe. One Answer. One Way.
The God Who was there yesterday, is here today, and will be here tomorrow.
Time to turn His Way! Now and forever.
Amen and Amen!
In His Name–Scott
Be lifted and encouraged by this video and song of “Show Me the Way” by Styx.
