DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OF LIFE WITH JESUS
Life is a winding road, full of turns we never expected and stretches we never planned. Some days the sun warms our path and everything feels steady and sure. Other days the sky darkens and the way ahead grows hard to see. Yet through it all, one truth remains: Christ is the road, the map, and the destination. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
There are ditches on both sides of this road. On one side lies the ditch of indulgence, where freedom is twisted into an excuse for sin. The world calls this liberty, but the soul finds it hollow. The Scripture warns, “Do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). True freedom is not found in doing whatever we please but in belonging wholly to Jesus, who frees us to love and obey.
On the other side lies the ditch of legalism—the dry dust of self-righteousness. Here the road feels narrow and the heart grows weary from trying to earn what can only be received. The Pharisees knew every letter of the Law, yet they missed the heart of it—love. Jesus said concerning the Scriptures, “These are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). To walk with Christ is not to measure every step by rules but to be guided by grace. His yoke is easy, His burden light (Matthew 11:29–30).
Between these two ditches is the road of grace, the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:14). It is the way of abiding, of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8). When He is before us, balance comes. We learn to walk in truth without pride and in freedom without folly. His Spirit becomes our steering, His Word our guardrail, His love our fuel for the journey.
Each mile teaches us something of His faithfulness. Even the rough roads and detours are not wasted, for He uses them to draw us closer, to deepen our dependence, to teach us to trust when the path makes no sense. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).
And when we reach the end of the road, we will see that every turn led us nearer home, nearer to Him who walked with us all the way.
Lord Jesus, keep my heart steady on the narrow road. When my flesh pulls toward indulgence, remind me of the cross. When pride pushes me toward self-righteousness, humble me in Your grace. Teach me to walk in step with Your Spirit and to find joy in Your will. Be my compass when I am confused, my strength when I am weary, and my song when the road is long. Let my life’s journey lead always toward You, until the day I see You face to face. Amen.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
