My Way or the High Way

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;  Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:7-9 NKJV

I’m sure at some point in your life you have heard the expression, “It’s my way or the highway.” You may have had someone in a position of authority say that to you. You do it their way or you can hit the road. Perhaps you have told other people this. In all honesty we all want to have things our way.  It’s in our nature.

God also wants us to do things His way as His word commands us to do. But the difference is His way is the High way. Each and every day we are faced with a choice. Will I do things my way or the High way?

For many years I chose to do things my way. I chose to occasionally attend church, to pray when trouble came my way, and to never study my Bible. I had been to Sunday School throughout my childhood and thought I knew all I needed to know about the Bible. I am amazed at how much I still learn today through the Bible studies we have through our church. Each and every time I read Scripture it seems as though I learn something new about it even if I have read it a million times. This is not because God’s word changes. His word is constant. But this is because there is so much to be learned from it that it’s hard to get everything at once. It seems as there is always more to be learned. When I speak of studying the Bible I’m not talking about reading a couple verses each day. I’m talking about really studying it as you would a subject in school. I’m talking about getting a good study Bible with a good commentary from a trusted source. I’m talking about dissecting the truth of God’s word so we get all the nourishment from it. I’m talking about peeling back the layers so we have a good understanding it.

In order to do things His way, we must understand what His way is. This is why Bible study is so important. It is also important that we attend church and fellowship with other Christians (Hebrews 10:25). It helps us to gain a deeper understanding of His way. Matthew 22:37-39 tells us of the two greatest commandments which are to love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. This is a good start to doing things His way or the High way.

Another thing to keep in mind especially when we are baby Christians or just starting out in our Christian walk is that His way is usually the exact opposite of our way. We tend to want what we want and that is the things of the flesh. We lust after things that God says we should not. So, we have to train ourselves to walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 tells us that if we walk in the Spirit we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. This means to live according to God’s way or His will for our lives. In order to walk in the Spirit we must be in close relationship with Jesus Christ.

To be in close relationship with Jesus Christ, we must keep in constant communication with Him through prayer and Bible study. We need to find good leadership in a church where the pastor preaches according to the Bible. We need to find a church that has Bible studies and loving people that are willing to guide you as you begin doing things His way.

As you start this day, like everyday, you will make a choice to do things your way or the High way.  I pray  you choose wisely. You see for years I just lived my way. But eventually that wore me down. I had to give it all over to Him. I had to live His way. Once I made that commitment, I began each and every day in prayer and in studying His word. I gave up my way for the High way. I pray that you will do the same. You will never regret it.

Have a great day!