Maneira

Yesterday's message was very deep and subject to misinterpretation so I hesitated to share it widely. I was reflecting on the Portuguese word "maneira" meaning the way, the method, from the Latin root 'manus' = hand. In John 4:6 Jesus is recorded as declaring "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". He is not stating that He is the route, the destination to eternal life in heaven. Rather, the whole verse is Jesus metaphorically wanting to take us by the hand in relationship now, leading us to an ever increasing closeness to His Father as a Way of being. In that process we will be changing into His image. God is the great "I am". Jesus is "I am". The Way is not a destination but an existence in God, the Father, now. To get to know our Father is a huge process and all our journeys are unique in this. That then makes it impossible to compare our journeys, which then eradicates our ability to judge. It is a precious gift to be constantly with God, the Way, and to be gradually changed into His image of perfect love. Think carefully on Hebrews 13:5 "Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". (KJ21 translation)