The Believer’s Journey

Finally, after climbing over, under, and through snags, we reached a place where the path opened onto a splendid stream. Our eyes got as big as saucers. It was like discovering a new world. This stream became our favorite place to hang out, and it gave us some of our greatest memories over the years. Amazingly, we would have missed out had we not slowed down to notice, then to detour down this tiny, unbidden path.

If you think about it, life is full of paths. As soon as we get into high school we immediately begin to ponder the path of education that we should take. Once we get into college, the academic counselor asks, "Have you begun thinking about your career path?" You nod, and begin making concrete steps toward pursuing your dreams and goals.

Soon, you graduate, get a job, and begin to make money. If you are using wisdom and common sense, you will choose to invest. Your financial advisor pulls out a colorful folder full of pamphlets and charts from under his desk and says, "Tell me. Have you decided about what kind of financial path you want to select? Aggressive? Non-aggressive?" At this point in your life, you are single, and you say, "Aggressive!" as the dollar signs begin to roll in your eyes.

When you tire of toys and realize that companionship is now more important, you begin thinking about pursuing a family path. "What kind of mate am I looking for?" Whomever you choose to marry will be a path in and of itself. Talk to married people: it is not uncommon for them to admit that they have wondered where they would be had they married the "other person." Eventually, however, you choose, and the two of you begin planning what kind of family you want. Two kids? Five?

In the fullness of time, you will weary of working, and stroll down the path of retirement, getting joy in seeing your kids go through the same journey you did (and golf, of course).

All this is often called "The Rat Race." In all your busyness, have you ever once stopped to consider that perhaps there is another path besides the rat race? As the world hurries down the road to riches or worldly power or fame, could it be that God has hidden a side path for those who slow down enough to recognize it?

In Mark 10:17-27, a powerful story is told about a nameless individual who has been labeled "the rich young ruler." Here was a young guy with lots of money and power, (and, no doubt, women). His ambitions were fulfilled, his life was a success, he had mastered his course, and he was scrupulous in following the Ten Commandments. However, he was still unhappy at his core. One day, he noticed another Way, named Jesus. When the young man asked Jesus about this path, Jesus didn't attempt to sugarcoat it, or glamorize it, or make it anything that it was not. This disappointed the young guy, who was still attached to the rat race and could not let go, and he turned away, grieved.

If I have learned one thing over the years, it is that God will do nothing to make the path more appealing to us. He doesn't make it extravagant like the Las Vegas strip. (Glitz and glamour is how Satan usually entices us into entrapment.) Instead, God's path will never look anything other than simple and modest. At most, Jesus simply says, "Come." It is like that unassuming path to the lake that was virtually hidden.

God's Word is not a guide to the rat race. It is your guide to His path of power. The Old Testament Prophets speak of it, the Old Testament Books of Wisdom tell of it, Jesus declares it, and the Great Apostle brings it to light. This book, The Believer's Journey, has been written to echo them once more. You will discover the sacred path that is woven into the fabric of the New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ and the letters of the Apostle Paul. Through careful consideration and illumination from our Great Teacher, the Holy Ghost, (or Holy Spirit), you will see this path become clearer and richer, purer and deeper, as you prayerfully consider what has been written. Just as my uncle had to show us the hidden path, I have sought to do the same in this book.

Using a careful breakdown of Scripture, I have endeavored to make plain to you the path of Sonship, first blazed for us by the One who loves us and gave Himself for us, Jesus Christ. As all paths lead somewhere, the path of Sonship leads us to the marvelous inheritance that has been laid up for us as sons and daughters of God. By the time you have completed this reading, you will be familiar with this inheritance, and you will have a greater handle on how to walk in that inheritance in this life.

As with every adventure, many trials and difficulties will arise to try and block our progress. In the coming chapters, I have shed light on some of these obstacles. Fortunately, God has given us great and mighty weapons of the Spirit to overcome anything that would thwart our headway. This book reveals many of those spiritual weapons and shines light on how they work and what you can do to utilize them.

I have decided to be transparent in this book in sharing my own life’s hurdles. I am certain that much of what I have encountered is quite similar to what you may be facing. Peter said, "Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Pet. 5:9) The goal is to show you how I overcame, perhaps cutting down the time you waste trying to figure out how to do the same.

There was once a difficult point in my life where I had grown so weary that I was no longer walking forward down my path. It took some time before I even noticed. But I had reached an impasse that lasted three long years. It was not until I turned myself over to my faithful Friend, the Holy Spirit, that I began to come into the truth that I share with you now. This journey marched me out of the misery that stared at me face to face, and it walked me into tremendous power and understanding, resulting in the forces responsible for the miracles and deliverances that follow my ministry.

Remember this vital point: The life we live in Christ is done through our reborn spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:13-16) It took me a while to learn this, and even more time to live it. Much of the book discloses the truths I picked up absorbing this crucial truth. Get a firm grasp on this, and your life will be a walk of power. You will step into the armor of God, something that is accessible only by revelation knowledge from the Spirit of God.

Be patient as you walk through the Scriptures that we explore. Turn them over and ask the Holy Spirit to form the image within your heart. This is not a race to see how fast you can get through the Scriptures, but a contemplative path meant to change your heart and mind.

You can do it, I assure you. A large portion of this book is dedicated to showing you how to employ the Spirit of God once you are born again. These truths will revolutionize your identity in Christ, accelerate your understanding of the Word of God, fasten you closer to the Holy Ghost, and launch you down a dynamic journey. This will place you on a path that transforms and empowers you to follow it all the way into God, allowing nothing to stop you from what Jesus said that you could be in Him. The path will be plain, and you will have what you need to go for it.