“So much of our lives is horizontal!”exclaimed a team-mate. We looked at the “I AM” statements of Jesus from the Gospel of John, and his frustration over how oriented we are towards our physical realities spouted out. Jesus’ words about Himself interrupted each of us…and made us think.
He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
What do I tend to pursue in order to be filled?
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
How do I try to provide light for myself?
whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Where do I try to find safe pasture on my own?
I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Whose voices get my attention?
I AM the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…
How many things do I think are outside God’s ability?
I AM the way, the truth, the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
How often am I trying to find the way to somewhere apart from Jesus?
you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Where am I trying to produce fruit through my own efforts?
As we looked at these verses, there was a growing sense of the All-Sufficiency of God for whatever needs come our way. Yet, at the same time, we all confessed our tendency to look to ourselves for what only God can do-to be in control, to be judge of all, to be provider and sustainer. Author Arthur Pink has stated that this is the big mistake for most Christians – “trying to find in ourselves what can only be found in Christ.” For whatever my needs are today, will I turn to Jesus?
Paul David Tripp, in his book, Lost in the Middle, writes, “The oxygen of the glory of God that we were meant to breathe cannot be found elsewhere.”
I’m thinking- why settle for less?
AB Reflections 
Thank you for sharing this nice article. I love the picture for I AM the gate of the sheep…
bless you
I really like it, too!