Posted By Michael Smith
I’m a believer.
Okay, so how many of you now have a Monkees song singing in your head? It’s a song I remember fondly from my youth. Remember all those madcap fastforward music videos that were part west coast hip, part British invasion, and part Keystone cops?
Those landmark first music videos were mixed in as a part of the TV show’s storyline. Then, after some usually farcical comedic antics, they’d slow back down to real time. Picture the band playing. Mike in his wool hat on the guitar, crazy Peter on the keyboard, heartthrob Davy with his tambourine and lending harmony. And of course Mickey on the drums, crooning “I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried.”
It was cool.
You know what else is cool? I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity. And that opportunity is to publish a column. You’re reading my first column right now. And it’s important in this first column to let you readers know that I’m a believer.
Not a believer like in the aforementioned pop song, but a believer in Jesus Christ as Lord of lords and King of kings. That’s what this column will offer you. A look at my life, lived as a believer. Hence the name, “In The Way”. You see, The Way is one of the names Jesus is known by. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) So it’s one of His many “I am…” statements. “In The Way” describes my life since I accepted Jesus into my heart.
I could also call this column “In The Truth”, or “In The Life”, and be making equally correct assessments of my journey in Christ.
But I like “In The Way”. It’s a play on words, a double entendre. Let’s see, so I’ve already described one meaning. That is, that as a believer I accept the validity of Jesus assertion that He is the truth and the life. And believing in Him, it follows then that I am walking with Him and in Him. Thus I am walking In The Way. Okay, next meaning. The one most people think of when they hear “in the way”. Like, there’s a car in the way preventing me from passing. Or, “Quit getting in the way I’m trying to do something here.” Or, don’t get in the way when I’m hungry or you might get hurt! It’s that whole idea of there being a block.
What’s interesting for me as a believer is that the main block to me being In The Way, is when I get in the way! That’s right, I, as in me, myself, yours truly. I’m the block. It’s when my focus gets on me that I am actually getting in my own way. The way to what? Why, the way to an abundant life I have come to experience in Jesus! It’s the way of worth. The way of freedom,peace, and joy. Of unconditional love. And maybe most significantly, the way of rest. Because when I’m busy blocking, I’m definitely not resting. And the fact of the matter is that I’m becoming accustomed to the rest. I cherish the serenity I am blessed with in Him. So I’ve found that if I’m not in the way, I reap the rewards of being In The Way.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Let’s discover The Way together. Guaranteed, there will be ups and downs. Life in this world is anything but predictable. There will be twists and turns.
There will be spinning, surging, and slacking. It’s an adventure, it’s a trail, it’s fog and clear skies. But it’s always about focusing on Him.
So anyway, if I may, I’d like to change the words a bit to that old Monkees hit.
Then I saw His face!
Now I’m a believer.
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
I’m in love, and I’m a believer,
Living in Jesus for all time.
Peace In Him,
Michael
