I am going to say something that I have never said before…..here it goes: “Happy Birthday to ME!!!” On the occasion of my double nickel birthday, it just seems fitting. I am giving myself a rather extravagant birthday gift this year, one that I want to share with you in the hope that you will find the excitement and joy discovering just who God created YOU to be and His purpose is for your life!
What’s so great about being 55? Life experience, perspective, wisdom, self-confidence, holy abandonment, the opportunity to make things right if need be, to have no regrets, to finally learn from our mistakes and to conquer our fears, to name a few.
I often wonder what our biggest fear is. Is it the fear of pain or of death? Maybe it’s the fear of being forgotten? This song addresses these fears and our purpose in a fun, upbeat way, because guess what? We were all ultimately created for the same purpose, to arrive at that personal place that God has prepared for us…our eternal home. John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”
The truth is that fear is a tactic of the enemy of our soul and does not come from God. The enemy wants us to regret, to feel shame and then defeat (instead of expressing faith, repentance and experiencing healing) to stop trying because it’s too late…. Well guess what? These are all lies. As long as there is breath in our lungs, it is never too late. God can take all our wasted yesterdays, including missed opportunities, past and present sins, and breathe blessing, life, wisdom and purpose into all of it! He wants us to claim our inheritance NOW! God wants us to replace fear with trust and claim His confidence, joy, peace, mercy and perfect love. We need to stand in the truth of the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Jesus responds to Thomas question, “how can we know the way?” in John 14:6 by saying:
“I am the way and the truth and the life.”
What does this mean? The WAY is Jesus Himself, as well as the definition of Christianity. He is the only way to the Father. We Read in Acts 9:2 that “the Way” is the name the early Christians used for themselves. What is TRUTH? My NAB bible commentary states that “in John, the divinely revealed reality of the Father manifested in the person and works of Jesus and that the possession of truth confers knowledge and liberation from sin.” As we read in John 8:31-32 Jesus instruction,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
He is the “word of truth” (Ephesians 1:13) Sounds to me if we are in Christ, then we are in truth, not sure where else I would rather be! What does Christ mean by stating that he is the LIFE? In John 11:25, Jesus states,
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die, do you believe this?”
By these words, and the very life of Jesus, He is revealing that He is the Author and Giver of life.
My ride most recently took me to Nashville to record with the great, seasoned musicians in Music City who put a fresh spin on this country song, penned by my songwriter friend, Vincent Bonvissuto in 2003.That gift to me and to you that I mentioned? It is this song as a reminder to TRUST HIM and HANG ON FOR THE RIDE!! You just might be surprised at the places you will go!! Your fare’s already been paid! So get rolling! Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the view! That’s the best part!
