by J. Randal Matheny

The craft of writing has often been used as a metaphor for life. Monica Wood's words led me in that well-worn path today:

"Writing happens sentence by sentence. The joy of creative expression lies in finding not a way, but the way - the only way - to say what you mean."

In the same way, life happens day to day, hour to hour. We live in the present, though not for the moment. The joy of expressing that life in Christ lies in finding not a way, but the way - the only way - to live life as God meant it.

You can't rush life, and although you can and should plan it, you can't foresee or prophesy it, much less control it. God is conducting the universe, humanity, history, time, or whatever name you might give it, to its final goal. As wise souls we go with HIS flow, his direction, his conducting of this orchestra as we navigate the knocks, rocks, and locks of the journey. Ours is not a luxury cruise, but a cargo run.

There are as many ways to live the Christian life as there are individuals, for each person is unique. At the same time, within that uniqueness and individuality, all the diversity of human experience funnels itself through the sieve of meaning in Christ. It all comes together in him. Or as Paul says, God makes everything converge in him (Eph. 1:10).

That Christ-focus sprinkles our daily sun with joy and peace, purpose and success.

Under the one Lord and by the one faith, we discover life as it was meant to be lived. One way, exclusive, narrow, steep, and demanding. The only way across the valleys of despair and over the impossible slopes of human achievement. Christ cuts through the jungle tangle of politics, paves over the quicksands of temptation, and calms the turbulent waters of suffering.

Life in Christ fixes the eye on eternity to give perspective to the present. The overpowering goal of the eternal kingdom infuses NOW with energy and hope.

When the avalanche of daily responsibilities threatens to bury us, a simple word of faith steps in. Jesus teaches us to say, "'Move from here to there,' AND IT WILL MOVE; and nothing will be impossible to you" (Matt. 17:20).

The life that matters doesn't just happen. God makes it happen when we place it, when we deposit ourselves, in his hand to guide us along the one way to our blissful, blessed destination.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me" (John 14:6).

Bible citations from the updated New American Standard Version.