Starting the Journey

The very first time that I really truly believed in Jesus Christ as my savior was in eighth grade.  My English/homeroom teacher, Mr. Putbrese, required our class to read “Run Nicky Run,” a book about a New York City gang member who finds God and turns his life around.  Today it would be completely out of the question of whether a Christian book like this could be required reading in a public school.  And perhaps it was a big stretch from the recommended reading list for public schools in the 1970s.  I believe that Mr. Putbrese had very strong convictions about his faith and was willing to stretch the boundaries of recommended reading for his faith.  With his strong convictions, he was able to bring a very real and loving God and the precious son he sacrificed, Jesus, into the lives of this group of thirteen-year-old boys and girls. 

Flash forward 40 years.  I still have my copy of “Run Nicky Run.”  The back pages are filled with my doodling (which I’m still famous for, at least in my own mind) of cool looking crosses, a finger pointing straight up with the words “one way” written nearby, and in reference to something even better than Coke,  “Jesus Christ, He’s the Real Thing!”  From time to time, I re-read this book and remember the impact it had on my faith back then and still has on my faith today.  Tears still come to my eyes as I read about Nicky, a cold blooded murderer and leader of the toughest street gang in New York, as he drops to his knees, tears dripping down his face and declares his faith in our Lord.

Soon after I finished this book 40 years ago, I too found myself on my knees declaring my belief in Jesus Christ who was crucified for our sins.  This began my faith journey.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

One Way

I am directionally challenged.  When I go into a restroom at a big arena, I enter from the right, and as I leave, I take another right.  My journey ends once I’ve completely circled the arena, wondering, “How did I get here?” until I finally find my section.  Finding my seat (“row 22, seat 4, or was it row 4, seat 22?”), is another challenge.

The signs were there.  The section numbers are clearly posted.  With my mind racing on many things at once, I ignored the signs and kept walking.

I’ve been lost many times when driving.  Again, I seem to drive aimlessly, circling my destination, unsure if where I am is where I really want to be.  Many years ago, while driving my “Peewee” aged son to a hockey game, I got lost.  We drove out into the country, circled our destination (I think) and the time got later and later.  Finally my son crawled into the back seat, began dressing for the game, silently sniffing and holding back tears.  I knew we would be late.  He knew we would be late.
 
Again, the signs were clearly posted.  I ignored the signs and insisted, “I’m sure it’s right up ahead.”

We arrived at the arena just in time for the third and last period of the game.  My son, now 22, has forgiven me; however, he declared right then and there, “From now on, you don’t drive to my games!” 

My faith journey has been much the same.  A series of directionally challenged movements, leading me toward God, away from God, and circling God as my mind races on so many different things. 

Now we all know that God hasn’t moved.  He is always there, close by, watching, listening, waiting.  He waits for us to follow His signs, follow His directions, follow His will, knowing that we will come to our destination if only we quiet our minds and LISTEN.

Everyone’s faith journey is different, but we all have the same goal, right?  Some may head straight for that goal, never twisting, never turning, and never looking back.  Unfortunately, I suspect that the majority of our faith journeys are less mapped out.  Many twists and turns, fits and starts, fast forward, reverse and even times of being completely lost.  The signs were there, clearly posted in God’s word.  There is ONE WAY and only ONE WAY.
 
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