Wayward Walking

Two weeks ago, we began a shared study on the Apostles. They really are an interesting bunch of characters when you begin to examine their lives. Over the centuries we have decided to put "Saint" in front of their name and I believe that by doing so, we have almost removed any chance of our being able to identify with them. Let's face it, they were ordinary people living ordinary lives until their world was turned upside down by a man named Jesus. They came from a variety of backgrounds ranging from professionals to fishermen. The only common thread was their willingness to follow and not all of them without asking a few questions before hitting the road. Soon after Jesus' death, they were called "followers of the way". The question that I have is, did they really know what way they were traveling?

Back in the 1980's, I used to love to listen to a radio program on financial planning. A local financial planner in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area, Fritz Freeze (not sure of the spelling, because after all, he was on the radio), used to end his broadcast everyday with the statement: "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." I loved that quote! But I also wonder if the Apostles knew what road they were taking. Certainly they screwed up the message while they were still traveling with the earthly Jesus. The sons of Zebedee were ready to rain down fire on a bunch of folks, Peter was ready to defend Jesus with his life, and Nathanael, when introduced to Jesus uttered that classic line, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

They followed him, but did they know where they were going? Even in the last days of his ministry, as they were traveling to Jerusalem, all of the signs, the conversations, the teaching, and Jesus' demeanor pointed to a tragic end, but the Apostles didn't seem to know where they were going. These followers of "the way" didn't fully comprehend where they were being led. The road to Jerusalem is a treacherous journey. As you pass through the mountains, there are many hiding places for those who wish to do you harm. An injury could leave you out in the elements of a very harsh countryside and the possibility of being assisted by another traveler was not good. And yet they forged ahead simply because they trusted someone and knew they had to follow.

My life has been a lot like that! I could never have predicted the journey that I have taken. Certainly I didn't know that I would encounter the people I have met along the way. I haven't been aware of all of the dangers that I have passed until long after I left them in my dust. I don't know how this journey will end, but I do know where it will end. Ever since the day that I found myself confronted with the invitation to "Come and follow", I have been walking on. I haven't been down the many paths before that I am taking now, but I can assure you the one I am trying to follow knows the way. After all, he is the way.

Wayward tends to imply that the direction one is traveling has become misguided or lacks a clear destination. On the other hand, to follow "the way", to have your life headed toward "the way" is to be very clear on your destination and to be guided by the one who can help you arrive safely. You may not know the way, but if you know "the way", only one road will take you there. For the Apostles, the road led to Jerusalem, but it didn't stop there. That was only a rest stop along the road. Being followers of "the way" led them to many different cities, but ultimately to one final destination.

I kind of see the Apostles as a bunch of wayward misfits. They were walking through life searching and seeking something that they knew they lacked. Once they found him, being wayward took on new meaning. I like being a wayward walker - it keeps me focused on where I'm going!