Dana's Christian Journey

A common question being asked these days is: “What’s your why?” In other words: ‘Know your purpose; figure out why you’re pursuing the things you’re pursuing…’ It’s a good question, but I think Jesus would phrase it this way: “Who’s your why?”

“When I asked the apostles if they were going to walk away from Me like most listeners did, do you remember My friend Peter’s response? ‘Where shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ Though not perfect, Peter was beginning to realize something: ‘I am Truth.’ Do you remember Martha asking Me to tell her sister Mary to leave My presence to help in the kitchen? I replied: ‘Mary has chosen the better place to be… at My feet. Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things, but only One is needed.’ I wanted my friends to know: ‘I am Life.’ Do you remember Thomas asking: ‘Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’ I answered: ‘I am the Way.’ Why don’t you let Me be your Why?”

Jesus became the all-consuming quest of Paul, who had been a merciless persecutor of God’s children. From a prison cell, he confessed that he had not fully attained his goal, but there is no doubt about his ‘Why.’ Try to read his words to the Philippians below as if you are seeing them for the first time… and notice his challenge to us.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection of the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

If there’s one thing I hope to inherit from my dad, it’s his gentleness. I often see his tenderness with his great-grandchildren. I’ve witnessed the gentle way he cared for his aging mother, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 103. Recently Kinsey’s family visited my parents and watched Peepaw rescue a distressed animal. A day-old calf was caught in some briars and separated from its mother on the opposite side of a shallow creek. Peepaw carefully untangled it, picked it up, and walked it across the stream to be re-united with its mother.

My dad turns 88 on March 19 and happily continues his gentle ways with people and animals. Our grandson Wilkes turns 6 two days later. We got to join family and friends this past Sunday for an early birthday celebration in the park.

Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, One who knows His sheep by name and cares so much for each of them that He was willing to lay down His life. In my mind, I picture His gentleness most clearly as He welcomed children into His arms. You can tell a lot about a person by how they interact with kids. “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

If you have not yet discovered ‘The Chosen’ video series about Jesus, find it online and watch it for free. Episode 3 is called ‘Jesus and the Children’ and shows the King of kings befriending a group of Hebrew kids. Don’t expect action-packed drama in this episode, but marvel at the gentleness, wisdom, and love displayed. Surely every parent wants their children to meet such a Man.

Jesus is gentle with adults too… The blind beggar, the woman caught in adultery, the teacher who came to Him at night, the woman at the well, the despised tax collector… all experienced One who could have judged, but instead showed tender mercy. And still today, Jesus welcomes all who will listen to His voice. There is no sweeter invitation…

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30