February 01, 2006

On the Road With God

Acts 24:1-16

"I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way ..." Acts 24:14

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A fourth-century desert father named Sarapion once traveled from Egypt to Rome, where he visited an elderly believer known for her reclusive ways. This Christian woman seldom left the small room she called home. Sarapion loved to travel and was skeptical about her way of life. He asked, "Why are you sitting here?" She replied, "I am not sitting; I am on a journey." She was right, of course. You may not have the means or the inclination to cruise the high seas or visit faraway places, but if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are a traveler. During the Middle Ages, spiritual writers often referred to believers as "wayfarers." That language reflects one of the earliest descriptions of New Testament believers. As described by Paul in our reading for today, they were called "followers of the Way." Followers of the Way don't set down permanent roots. They move through life with greater destinations in mind. They are always stretching and growing. They are always "on the Way" with Jesus Christ--who identified himself as the only way to God (John 14:6). There is much coming and going in Scripture. The people of God are always going places. They refuse to get stuck in a rut. This month let's discover what lessons we can learn from them for our own walk with God.

Father, our lives run the risk of spiritual stagnation. Put us on the road with Jesus to learn new lessons about faith and discipleship. In his name we pray. Amen.

About the author — Bob Heerspink

Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.

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