True North

We make sense of the world by learning, storing and analyzing facts. We inherently take that analysis and form expectations by applying it to new situations or imagined situations. As Christians, this same pattern of exploration and analysis is used to develop expectations of who God is and what He is doing in the world around us. Unfortunately, our analysis and expectations are, at times, simply wrong and, as a result, can be difficult to reconcile with our experiences. Dealing with unmet expectations can be incredibly disorienting and debilitating, including as applied to our spiritual lives and expectations around God. Initially, in disorienting times, Jews found their way, security and identity by looking to the tabernacle and the law. Now, as the disciples begin celebrating Passover and remembering their deliverance from the Egyptians, Jesus tells his disciples in the coming days as they experience extreme spiritual disorientation arising from the crucifixion, they have a new spiritual compass - Jesus - because, he says, I AM the way, the truth and the life. He tells them they know the way to God because he is in God and God is in him. These powerful and life-giving declarations still provide us with a spiritual compass today, so that we can experience peace and have a guide as we process and grow through spiritually disorienting events and the associated pain. We can find life and direction in the mystery and reality of the incarnation and knowing that Jesus overcame the world.