"Where do I Go from Here?"

 

We often find ourselves asking this question; in small everyday decisions as well as huge, life-altering situations as well. Those of us who are pursuing God, desire that our decisions be led by His voice and direction. Because we believe that God has a good plan for us and will also lead and equip us along the way, we are looking to Him for the answer to the questions; “where do I go from here?” “What should I choose?”  “What should I do?”  The hard thing is that it is often difficult to discern the answer…

I am encouraged by the interaction in scripture recorded in John 14:1-6, where Jesus is talking with His disciples: “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Because this interaction happened just prior to Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and death, it is often interpreted as applying to heaven.  While I don’t disagree with that interpretation, I think it is limiting. I believe there is a much broader interpretation to this passage and one that brings great encouragement to us throughout our lives.

Jesus promises in scripture to go before us, to speak to us, to lead us into all that He has for us. He promises to never leave us, to be our strength and to give us wisdom. We believe that God is not limited by the human constraints of time and space. He is both present with us as well as present in our future.

In the passage quoted above, Jesus is reassuring His disciples that He is preparing ahead of them and that they are sure to join Him in that place.  Being practical and thinking literally, Thomas asks how they can possibly know the way if they don’t even know where they are going. I can relate! There are many times when I am asking God for direction in the midst of a decision and there is much more that is “unknown” than understood. Jesus’ answer to Thomas was essentially “Me – you have Me”.

Jesus is saying that He is “the way” that all that is needed is contained within Himself. Because we have Jesus, we have all that we need. This applies to all of life, not just life after death! In decisions and adversity; we have Jesus. He IS our way: through and in Him we have access to all that we need. Jesus is the destination; unity with Jesus is the goal and He leads us into our destiny.

When facing adversity and decisions, I might not know how things are going to work out or where I will end up. But I know I have Jesus and in Him I have all the resources of heaven. I may have many unanswered questions; but there are assurances that can bring peace in the midst of uncertainty. In Jesus I have strength, favor, wisdom, joy, grace, healing, discernment and hope. In Jesus I have peace that is greater than understanding. God promises to rescue, redeem, restore and transform.

But where do I go from here?  What do I do?  I’m asking these questions about work and family life. I’m asking questions like these as I parent my younger children and help them navigate adolescent years with all the changes and adjustments. Even more challenging are the ways these questions come up with my young adult children. As they make financial and education decisions, I find myself facing new and overwhelming questions and fears. As we look to the future of our family and ministry we ask tough questions.

I am encouraging myself in the simplicity and depths of Jesus’ response to Thomas in John 14. I hear Jesus saying to me: “You know more than you feel you do. You know ME! Because you know Me, you know the way and you have all the truth you need. You know how to hear Me and follow Me. You are well on your way!” 

I have already said “Yes” to Jesus. I may not see the path forward or even know what the next step is; but I can have peace in what is known. I have confidence and assurance based on the character and promises of God. I am well led by Jesus, who is both with me and preparing my future ahead of me.

In the places where you are facing uncertainty in your own life; let this passage provide you assurance. Take courage from the words of Jesus in the very places where you are asking “where do I go from here?”. Jesus is with you!  He is the way and in Him, you have all you need to get there!