Wisdom Wednesday: My Way and God’s Way
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God,
to walk in His ways and to fear Him.”
(Deuteronomy 8:6) NASB 95
Frank Sinatra’s signature song, entitled “My Way,” was released in 1969 and became his signature song. The song was written by Paul Anka, and the Reprise Records release was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The well-known song celebrated the concept of human autonomy – a life lived with self‑ownership, personal responsibility, and uncompromising independence. The song is a reflective, end‑of‑life message that acknowledges mistakes but asserts that the singer’s life was lived according to his own principles. It was lived “my way”. The song recognizes that life is temporal and the singer reflects on his life:
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
But “My Way” also clearly asserts the rejection of a God and a way of God in its closing:
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows
I took the blows
And did it my way
Yes, it was my way
In claiming to be authentic and say the things he feels, this man defiantly rejects the thought of those who kneel to an Almighty God. This is “My Way” by the autonomous man that rejects his Creator and His way.
The Bible contains numerous warnings about rejecting God’s way. Here are a few of the major warnings:
- God’s Way and man’s way – Man’s way is lower than God’s way of life, even as man’s desire for autonomy apart from God is lower than God’s desire to bless man with grace and mercy. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” ( Isa. 55:8–9 NASB 95)
- The Way of Death – The only Scripture passage in Proverbs that is repeated twice verbatim is found in Chapters 14 and 16 and repeat an important warning: “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Prov. 14:12 and Prov. 16:25) NASB 95
- The Broad Way of Destruction Jesus contrasted the way of the fool and the wise when He spoke of the wide way of life that leads to destruction and the narrow way that leads to life. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14 cf. Luke 13:24)
It is sad that “My Way” was a highly desired funeral song for many. Bold, defiant, and confident, it proclaimed the autonomy of a person who chose the wide way that leads to destruction.
Let us share the Gospel with those who do not know of God’s way. And let us explain what it is to walk in His ways and to fear Him.