Jesus Rules for the Road — Are You Here?

Maps are navigation tools. Need to find your way from “point a” to “point b”? Look at a map.

Now granted, the ancient art of orienteering has gone through an evolution and currently the gold standard is Google and Apple maps. And yet at its heart, the mapping function remains largely the same

Mapping devices, whether the stars in the sky, big round globes, fold out paper types or electronic screens help answer two basic questions. Where are we now (point a) , and what is the path to where we want to be (point b)?

And to aid in this journey, some maps display a BIG pointing arrow with the caption “you are here”! I’m a big fan of the “you are here” arrow! It brings a sense of belonging and found-ness. No matter how disoriented I may find myself, this pointer gives me a place of beginning. All is not lost.

In life’s journey, “you are here” (point a) is the all important starting place to where you want to go (point b). Every hopeful ending has a pre-determined beginning.

And so logically speaking, if our current location is a given of sorts (point a), then what about that all important (point b), where you want to go? How do you determine the pathway dictated by coordinates for “point b”?

On the road of life, countless people wander aimlessly with abundant detours and wrong turns. Often times the glitch in the GPS is not having a clearly defined “point b”.

And so for the all important question, do you know where and perhaps who you want to be in life? Do you have a “point b”?

Jesus understood well his place on the map. He was firmly grounded in his life coordinates. He knew his starting (point a) and ending point (point b) and each step on his journey was directional and purposeful.

Perhaps we could benefit from a course in map reading taught by Jesus?

Jesus traveling companion and Gospel writer Mark, journals one such encounter which encapsulates his firm footing on this earth.

“When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.” ~ Mark 6:34 The Message

Jesus was no stranger to seeing and serving the needs of people. It broke his heart. He visualizes those gathering as tender sheep with no protecting and providing shepherd. His response, he rolls up his sleeves and goes right to work.

This is just one of many gospel stories of Jesus modeling a life changing journey in which he:

• Enters into the needs of the world (incarnation)
• Becomes enlightened and moved by what he sees
• Embodies compassion and
• Engages the needs of the community.

Mark later chronicles these Jesus “rules for the road” in chapter 10. Jesus speaking to his disciples says,

“…whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” ~ Mark 10:44-45 The Message

How is your life journey going these days? Do you find many parallels to Jesus “rules for the road” and your own? For many I suspect the answer is yes! For others, perhaps you could use some “recalculating” in Google terms.

From one earth traveler to another, I find purpose and direction from “point a” to “point b” best happens as I enter into the needs of the world around me, become enlightened and moved by what I see, embody compassion and then engage the needs of my community.

May it be so with us as it was with Jesus!

Jim

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