This is the Way of Hope - Advent Week One
John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (NIV)
This is the Way!
Advent, that time of preparation before Christmas, affords a wonderful opportunity to share the basic truth of the Christian faith – that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life! He is our hope.
A recent series on Disney+ has my husband’s (and many others’) attention. The Mandalorian is a live-action television series of the Star Wars franchise.
While I won’t attempt to connect any of the show’s entertaining themes to our Christian faith, one thing does repeatedly capture my attention. Mandalorians regularly say a phrase to one another that is met with great acceptance - “This is the way.” Every time I hear those words my mind shifts to “Jesus is the Way!”
What if the world came to know that truth and not only believed it but repeated it. What if that phrase, that Scriptural truth, was met with great acceptance in every situation, good or bad, comfortable or uncomfortable. What if “Jesus is the Way” became our mantra and the life-application of it became evident to those around us?
This Advent, as you hustle and bustle to ready your family for Christmas, consider the “Way” that focuses your heart and mind and directs your actions. Consider how you might say to others, “This is the Way” and point them to Jesus! You can be a sharer of hope.
Reflection: This Advent, what can you do daily to remind yourself that Jesus Christ is the Way to forgiveness, life, and salvation and hope? How can you lead others to know this truth?
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being the only Way to eternal life, and for showing me the way to live according to Your will and shine Your light to others. Thank you for the hope you give to us. Keep my heart focused on You. Amen.
Shawn Maassel, Huntingtown, MD
Shawn began taking Body & Soul® classes as a student in 1990 after her first child was born. Years later, after a move and transition to full-time church work, she became a Body & Soul® instructor in order to bring the ministry and classes to her new church. She has been leading classes since 2003 in Huntingtown, Maryland and enjoys being part of Body & Soul’s Spiritual Impact Team. Shawn and her husband have three grown children and two grandsons across the country.
Body and Soul® Fitness is an international Christian fitness organization that trains and equips instructors to lead a variety of group fitness programs including choreographed aerobics-style Cardio Strength & Flexibility™, cardio dance style Dance Blast™, free-weights-focused Power Strength™, boot camp style FIT360™ and Longevity FIT360™, and GOLD™ - lower impact programming for participants that are pregnant, have weight challenges, injuries, or other medical conditions. These exercise classes meet in church gyms, community centers, gymnasiums, parking lots, schools, etc. across the United States, Europe, and Africa. In-person and virtual fitness classes are available.
Key words: Christian fitness, women's exercise classes, group fitness, dance aerobics classes, Christian group fitness, Christian fitness app, FitTV, Body & Soul, Body and Soul, fitness instuctor training, low impact exercise
