My thoughts keep switching back and forth between contemplating roads I’ve traveled and Jesus’ road to Gethsemane.  My road has been rocky and smooth, as was His.  I have experienced the sorrow and joy of both.  I hope that I have offered and provided some light along the way, inspired by my God and The Son and The Advocate.  “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be children of light.”  (John 12:36)

Committing to reading the Gospel of John for my Lenten season; focusing especially on the combinations of letters printed in red, has enlightened and challenged my awareness that, from the very beginning of His gathering, training, and leading his flock, Jesus has complete knowledge of that and how His journey will end.  As I edge closer to the ending of my own earthly trail, I struggle through thoughts of avoidance, acceptance, and hope for that ‘something more beyond’.  Scripture passages, such as “He that seeth me seeth Him that sent me” (John 12:45) and “I know that His commandment is life everlasting” (John 12:50) draw me to calm and faith that I’ll be just fine.  But, verses like “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour” (John 12:27) and “As long as I’m in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5) give me pause.  If Jesus is troubled by what lies ahead, how can I not be?  Does His light persist through The Advocate and on into my ‘beyond’ or was it snuffed out with His final cries of “It is finished”?  You’re probably thinking that this is depressing.  Imagine being in my head!  But, is it really?  We know that his road ended here on Earth, but did not end for good because we have faith that “God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16), “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27),“Verily, verily, I say unto thee; When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” (John 21:18).

I hold on for Our Easter!

And I hold fast to “A new commandment I give unto you; that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 14:34) as I press on the way.

Susan Ceely Philips