Navigation in the Dark // Pastor Amelia Houdek

So often we think of our faith life linearly. For the most part, we presume we know the road and our goals are:Keep from going in a ditchDon’t cross the center lineGet to our destination in fairly good conditionIn western religious thought this makes sense. The road is our time on earth. The commandments are the ‘side of the road’ that keep us from driving into a ditch. We avoid collisions with people we think are going the ‘wrong way’. Our destination is Heaven (wherever that may be).  But what if life and faith are not linear? What if the way isn’t clear? What if the road has switch backs, underpasses, u-turns, one way signs, or even, an occasional dead end?  What if you thought you were going one way only to find that you were using an old map, or navigation system that is not updated? What if there is no light to light the road, including no headlights? (I have nightmares about this all the time).Today’s scripture passage gives us this hope and promise:  God’s word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The first word is the WORD who was in the beginning. God’s word, in and through Jesus the Christ, IS the light and the lamp. God’s word is that which will keep us in grace and mercy. Jesus’ teachings and example will show us the way so that we do not fall in a ditch, lose our way, or crash into someone else. The way of Jesus,  of the Christ, will guide us no matter the earthly adventures, discovery, set backs, and sin. In Christ, we will make it our destination not only in fairly good condition but in perfect condition. And when we arrive, we won’t care if the road was straight. We will simply be in the Light.