The Way Home

 

[Jesus said] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:1-7 ESV).

 

 

In my freshman year at Texas A&M one of the restrictions was no cars on campus. Of course, that meant there were very few distractions off campus. And, being in the corps that was a very good thing. However, on those few weekends that I had time off and was able to secure an off-campus pass to go home my choices of transportation were very limited. I could ride the bus (yuk), or I could hitchhike. My choice was always the latter. I’d dress in my uniform and carry my Aggie duffel bag. I still have that little bag and attached a picture for your amusement. I was amazed at the ease of getting a ride from someone going that way when they realized I was a student at A&M.

 

Inevitably I was always asked, “Where you headed?” I’d answer, “Dickinson.” Being a small town, they would follow with, “Where’s that?” I learned quickly to simply say, “Galveston.” Everyone seemed to know where that was. It was also not unusual to need more than one ride along the way. They might be going part of the way, but as they reached their destination before I made it home, they’d stop and let me out and I’d put my thumb out to catch the next kind traveler going that way. It was still much better than smelly bus stopping at every little town in between College Station and my hometown.

 

As we continue our journey to Easter Sunday, please take note of Jesus’ words in our reading. He explains that we have no need trying to find a ride home. He has already prepared it for our arrival and has come to get us to bring us there Himself. Even if we are unsure of all the roads we must take to get there, He says, “I am the way.” Trusting in Him will get us home!