Each of us is walking a path. It may be shaped by family, community, culture, or personal choice, but we all follow a way that carries us through life. For me, that path has long been mothered and guided by Jesus. I think of it not only as a belief but as a lived way — a pattern of habits and practices that shapes who I am and how I move through the world. To speak of the “path of Jesus” is to speak of something more than doctrine; it is a way of living intentionally, with guideposts we can follow.
Grounded in Prayer
Again and again, the gospels tell us that Jesus began his days in prayer. But prayer, as I’ve come to understand it, wasn’t about piling up words. In fact, Jesus himself cautioned against that. Instead, prayer was about tuning his heart to God — or as he would have said in Aramaic, Alaha. It was about silence, stillness, and openness. Each morning brought unknown challenges, and grounding in silence gave Jesus the spaciousness to receive whatever came. For us, too, prayer can be a practice of centering, whether through silence, centering prayer, or meditation, to align ourselves with God’s presence.
Practicing Presence
Because Jesus was grounded, he was able to be present. He met people not as interruptions but as opportunities. Whether it was a woman reaching out in desperation or a stranger by the roadside, Jesus gave his attention fully. To follow his path means learning to do the same — practicing presence with family, friends, and even those we meet by chance. It doesn’t come quickly or easily, but with practice, we can learn to set aside distraction and truly be where we are.
Living from Abundance
Jesus also modeled a life rooted in abundance. Not abundance as in excess, but abundance in recognizing “enough.” Too often, we live out of a sense of scarcity — what we don’t have, what we still need to get. But Jesus lived simply, traveling light, embodying a trust that what was given in the moment was enough. To walk his path is to discover abundance in the heartbeat, the breath, the moment we are living right now. Enough is itself abundance.
Walking the Path
So what does it mean to follow the path of Jesus? For me, it means grounding myself in prayer, practicing presence with others, and recognizing abundance in what I already have. Jesus did not intend for us to place him so far above that we could not follow. He lived a way so that we might imitate it. This is the path I try to walk — not perfectly, but intentionally.
And while this is my path, I know each of us may walk differently. Whatever path you are on, may you know this: you are infinitely precious and unconditionally loved for the gift you already are.
Infinitely Precious 