Those words might seem easy, empty, feel-good, and almost hollow to those have wandered far from the glory of God. They are not. It is only through a personal relationship with our Lord that we develop the strength and courage to walk this road without fear.

When we confess our transgressions, even those small things that nobody else notices, Jesus will mediate with His Father. This treacherous road we find ourselves upon is easier to travel by His grace. As Christ followers, it is our responsibility to ask ourselves constantly, “What would Jesus do?” But it’s not enough to ask the question. There has to be real follow-up, too. As a Christian, it becomes your responsibility to say “No” to violence, intolerance, and hate.

Look around you and think about your friends and family. Would any of us be living in an America where we are free to worship God as we are led if it weren’t for the spiritual courage and assurance of a Christ-following forefather? Most likely, that ancestor lived somewhere governed by a prince or king who determined the spiritual path of his subjects. But what if that path took a wrong turn? What if your ancestor were suddenly told that his neighbor was now his enemy?

Led by the grace of God, that believer knew he had a responsibility both to himself and his loved ones. Praying without ceasing, he was led to confess his sins, ask Jesus to mediate with God, and show him the way he should go.

That walk with God took him on a six-week voyage across a stormy sea to a land far different from his homeland. There were no roads here, only some faint footpaths. But that ancestor had a road map of his own, that Bible, that one prized possession that he brought with him from home.

Most of the wilderness that forefather faced when he landed was tamed long ago. There are four-lane highways in place of those narrow footpaths, marked with big signs. Yet, we can still get lost, but relying on that same road map that your forbear carried is the best guide through the modern wilderness.

Have you ever gotten lost when driving in a strange city and found yourself in a bad part of town? You were confused and turned around because nothing looked familiar. When you consulted that map you keep in the glove compartment, suddenly it was easy to find your way out.

The same thing happens when you find yourself in “a bad part of town” in other areas of your daily life. The Word of God is better than any GPS unit invented for finding your way back to your chosen path.