There are so many competing voices in the world that tell us confusing and contradictory things about God. We may struggle with finding the right path or the correct choices to make in our lives. It is easy to become disoriented and confused. But we have an inner teacher who can be trusted, and a place where we can find the answers to life's questions. It is not in a book, and organization, or authority. Our teacher is God, and He is found within us. Learning to be still and listen to the whispering currents of God's spirit in our hearts is the first step to spiritual illumination.

Jesus struggled throughout His life as well as suffering and dying on the cross. He faced the same things as we do: loneliness, fatigue and discouragement, betrayal, frustration, and temptations. The passage from Hebrews is very clear: All of this was important, for Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Although He was divine, He was also human. It is through His faithfulness and love that His suffering was able to be the source of life for the entire world. We should look at our struggles in the same way: we are learning obedience, and what we learn can be the source of life for others. When we cling to our lives, refusing to change or let go, we die spiritually. When we let go and trust God, we receive new life. We need only be faithful and faith-filled. And Jesus who has gone before us walks at our side with compassion and encouragement.