I’m planning a hike/journey up the side of this mountain. I’ve got to know The Way to be able to get to the top! Not just any ole way, but The Way! I can see from where I am standing that there are many ways to climb up this mountain terrain.

I could go the easy way, but where is it? It might end up being the hard way in the long run. I scan the beautiful side of the mountain for any clues. Pretty sure I see a dangerous way straight up the middle Over to the left is a less rocky way, but more snowdrift. That’s OK ’cause I’ve got snow shoes just for that purpose.

There’s a way with a scenic view (over the rock cliffs). Looks like there’s a way that everyone has gone. How do I know? Tracks…… and lots of them.

That’s a lot of tracks!! What kind? Mainly people, lots of dog tracks, horses? llama?? Whompus cats??? Finding the way you say? Just follow all the other tracks. It’s not that easy and not that obvious. Most of these tracks go about 40 yards up and then double back to the main road in the valley. My destination is to the top. But to get there, I must find The Way.

Part of the fun in this type of adventure is in not knowing what lies ahead. Part of the headache and worry in this type of adventure is in …….. (you guessed it,) not knowing what lies ahead.

Whether I am guiding folks on a hike or out on a solo venture, my eyes are constantly searching for the way.

Any way, the best way, the quickest way, the shortest way, the fill in your own kind of way. Friend, I don’t know about you but when it comes down to it, just give me The Way.

“You don’t need to see the way if you follow the one that is the Way.” — Author Unknown

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So, if I’m to get to the top I don’t have to see the way. I just have to follow the way. How do you follow the way up a mountain? Faith and trust…… I must have faith in my experiences in the wilderness to keep taking one step at a time. I must trust my instincts, my physical abilities, my senses, (including the most valuable sense…… COMMON SENSE) to help me find a way to the top.

How do we get to the top spiritually? I don’t have to see the way,….. I just have to follow The Way/JESUS. That’s too simple to us humans isn’t it? We need faith and trust. We will take a journey putting faith and trust in ourselves. Yet in the spiritual journey, we find it difficult to put faith and trust in Jesus.

When Jesus says that He is the way, he also give us a big extra! What folks call “abundant life”. He adds in truth and life. You don’t know about any of this till you have experienced The Way.

Here’s something more to ponder over. If Jesus is the way, then HE WILL BE WITH YOU no matter what your way is at the moment. Your way may be hard, long, stressful, joyful, sad, confusing, on and on,…….. When Jesus is The Way for you, then you don’t need to see your way. Just follow.

“Lord would you please be with us as we journey. Give us guidance and protection. Keep us focused on You because you are THE WAY!!

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth Wilderness Preacher, part time guide, always looking for an adventure, Following THE WAY!