Mark 1:3, New King James Version

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’”

Thank you, Jesus, who has given me a passion to ride in planes, to see the world, and to do His work! What is His work for me to do? Well, it is very direct: love Him by loving people. If I need to do right - God’s way, it requires me to lay my flesh down and ride with His Spirit. Because of His will and His work that He assigned for me, I am blessed to go and meet with people who are near as well as those who are far away in other countries. One thing though, people are all different. Their culture, background, personalities, life experiences… it is not always an easy work if I am leaning on my own understanding and strength. When I do this, I have seen my own limitations, weaknesses, and difficulties. The outcome will be failure, not me alone, but I also fail in the work that the Lord has given to me, because I failed to love them the way that the Lord has.

So, the next question is this: What is the way that the Lord has?

The answer is found throughout the Bible and is concentrated in 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 12. Let’s start with the beginning with “Love is patience” (1 Corinthians 13:4), which means no matter how much resistance and rejection we may face, or suffering or hopelessness we may experience, we will trust in God's timing and promises with a steadfast endurance. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, NIV)

It doesn’t seem to work well with our flesh! How about “live at peace with everyone?” (Romans 12:18) With all the differences in people and the disagreements that may occur… the Word instructs us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18, NIV) This is our choice, the choice that we will “not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” (Romans 12:17, NIV) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14, NIV) “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10, NIV) … “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7, NIV)

“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:24-25, NLT) “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” (Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible)

My dear friends, love is not easy, it is sincere, and we have witnessed that it requires a great strength as demonstrated through Christ. And it is worth it! So, ride with the Spirit of God, be the path, walk with everyone in their valleys just as Jesus did, and point them to the Highway - Christ Himself!