February 2025

Letter from the Committee

The Way

With recent winter storms striking many parts of the U.S., hopefully not too many of you witnessed harrowing encounters with ice and snow! Navigating a snow-packed road is an interesting social exercise as everyone dynamically determines where the road, and lanes therein, lies.

How often does life feel this way? In the chaos of numerous decisions, opportunities, or relational ties, the right way has to be in there somewhere… right?

Isaiah 30:19b-20: “But your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

Just as this message was a comfort to the prodigal Israelites of Isaiah’s day, this tender image reminds us that our Father is faithful to us even when we are faithless. Jesus Christ boldly asserted that He is the only way of redemption and restoration to our heavenly Father. Human nature easily distorts the truth of Christ’s absolute provision into something that we earn or deserve (or not) by our actions. God’s decision to intervene and establish our salvation was never a function of our good deeds or obedience. His love and compassion for us in our separated condition led to His miraculous sacrifice so that we can be restored in our rightful place with Him.

Even further, He is there in the casual and weighty moments. He is there when you sing one of many rounds of “Jesus Loves Me” with toddlers at church, and He is there steadying your heart when you don’t know where to turn as a loved one suffers. He is the way. Lean into intimacy with Him, and He will set your feet on solid ground.

Psalm 40:1-3: “I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”

Your Stoa Alumni Committee,

Samuel Durand (AR), Nicole Kaiser (MT), Elizabeth Stapleton (OK)

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