Sunday, February 26, 2012

Reason #28 - He Is the Only Way


"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God." ~ Peter's response in John 6:68-69

Jesus had asked a question of His disciples, a question that has haunted me over these past few weeks. All together, many followers had deserted Christ. They had turned their backs and walked away. He turns to the twelve - the men He had poured His life in to, and asks,

"Will ye also go away?"

That was it. Just 5 simple words. Nothing profound...no pleading...no convincing. Just a simple question.

Can you hear the loneliness and desire wrapped up in these words? Oh, I know that my Lord understands my heart...because He's been there a thousand times over. He knows! He knows and He cares.

Does He ask the same question today? I believe that He does. I believe that He looks down on the vast majority of Christians today - toying with the Savior Who bled love and died for them - Who became sin that we might know Love Himself - and He whispers the question to all Who might hear,

"Will ye also go away?"

Oh, may I never lose the sound of this question in my ears. May I know the desire in His voice, that He wants me. He wants me. And He asks me to stay.

May my response be always and forever the answer of Peter.

"Lord, we have nowhere else to go. There is no one else to turn to."

Almost, it was as if he just didn't have another option.

Two mornings ago, I wrote in my journal after reading this passage,

This morning, I have cried as the devil hurls fiery darts of lies into my soul - thick and fast, and I convince myself - "All this desire to passionately love and serve the Lord - all this effort - it's all been a sorry joke. I'm not cut out for this. I just can't do it. How disgusted my Lord must be with me.

I. Give. Up."

Yet, in my spirit, I run up against this verse - "To whom shall I go?"
If I do indeed give up, "Where else can I turn?" And the answer, I know deep in my soul is,

Nowhere.

There is no one else.

I have set my passion in Him. And though I fall, though Satan drags me down to the very bottom, though for a time I hurl myself away from the Father in despair, I am incapable of choosing a new god. Once we have truly chosen our God in Christ, as the disciples did, there is no turning back. We have tasted the Christ. We have found the words of eternal life.

There is no where else -
No One else -
No thing else.

All is Christ. Christ is all.

He stands with open arms, asking me a simple, longing question - "Will you also go away?"

And I stand again - thankful to remember that my incredible weakness is actually my strength. For when I am weak, then - and only then - am I strong.

To whom shall I go? Only to Christ."


I love my Lord, because He is the only Way.



1 comment:

  1. Kate, this was beautiful, and convicting. I appreciate your humility here so much.

    Tears sprang to my eyes as I read, "All this desire to passionately love and serve the Lord - all this effort - it's all been a sorry joke. I'm not cut out for this. I just can't do it. How disgusted my Lord must be with me.
    I. Give. Up."

    Oh Kate, I've been there too and have said almost the exact same thing! But oh, you are right! There is no where else to turn. Nowhere.
    I'm so glad that we serve a faithful God that doesn't leave us at the first thought of doubt or retreat! He is so faithful.

    I love you Kate, may the Lord bless you as you grow in Him. May He continue to kindle up fire and passion for Him in you.
    Your sister,
    Grace

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