"It's your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you."-- Rumi (1207-1273), Islamic scholar, Persian poet, jurist, theologian
It would be marvelous if the path we take, the personal path we must all discover, were a pleasant walk through the beautiful forest of life; no twist or turns, no barriers to our journey, with signs and arrows to ensure we make it to our destination, and railing to keep us on the path and out of danger. I have been to many parks that are set up with visitor safety in mind, and have left poorer for the experience.You learn nothing if you aren't allowed to step off the path occasionally.
Like most of you, people send me email of the unusual. Many time I find these may be of use in some future post. Recently I received a collection of photos which depicted, for me, different paths. There isn't anything eye opening in the photos, there is no expectation of epiphany for you, there are just a few pictures to consider when you look at your own path.
What I find in these photos, I have found along my own path in life. The cobblestone path, atop the crumbling arch bridging some crevasse, left by many that have traveled their own path before me. The worn steps, cut into the side of the cliff, informing that this direction has been found useful by others, enough so that they put in a permanent stairway to the top. But, you might be concerned over the idea this path hasn't been used for many years. This would be the path less traveled. Anyone can travel the path well trod, but true knowledge can be discovered on these forks in the road. Where this path is less traveled and, perhaps, in disrepair, it offers a certain appeal that comes with age. The imagination can run wild with romantic tales.
You can find a path to travel, you can follow in the footsteps of those that have gone before, or you can blaze your own trail for others that may choose to come after; it is your choice. I find it a bit unnerving when I see some of the paths others have taken in life. There are times I have to ask myself, "What in God's name were they thinking?" Why would you take this path? Too hard to go over the mountain? Too treacherous to navigate the craggy canyon below? Too far to go around? Or maybe they constructed the path because - they could. They found themselves up to the challenge. Those that follow can marvel at the engineering and learn for some future moment when they, also, may find use of the time they passed this way.
Personally, I find my "pucker factor" meter pegs to the "Oh, Hell No!" end of the scale, when faced with paths like these. It reminds me of why I don't jump out of perfectly good aircraft wearing parachutes packed by some disgruntled person going through a nasty divorce. Or what goes through my mind when someone hands me a "batsuit," like they really expect that I'm going to launch myself off a skyscraper so I can glide like a dart into the side of a concrete building, 50 floors up. These are the paths traveled by "roughnecks" that work the high steel without harness or safety rope. This is a spiritual path that only those few fearless pioneers will ever experience. Does it make them close to God? It certainly offers them the opportunity of meeting the Almighty much sooner than the rest of us.
When you make the decision to take this fork in your road, you do so with full knowledge that you put your life in the hands of those that built these sideroads. There may be no safety rope if you run into trouble; you are at the mercy of what may come and relying on your own abilities to get you through. On the road sign up ahead it may read, "The Twilight Zone." It might also read, "Last Chance for Gas!" which might not bode well for your particular "pucker factor."
Sitting at home and vegetating is not a path, it is a permanent rest stop. You might find an opportunity to grow, though doubtful as it will not afford you the opportunity to interact with the the colors, noises, rides, and fattening foods, that are the carnival of mankind. God expects you to find a path for, without a path how do you expect to journey to God's kingdom? How do you expect to experience all the gifts that God has laid before you?
If you have chosen the right path, you will know. The path will not be a selfish one, and it will lead where all paths ultimately lead. Your path will be like a stairway with multiple landings, halls, and rooms. Each landing may represent a different lifetime, each hallway a different experience, each room a chance to spend a little time; some will be heavenly enjoyable, some will be like going through hell, some may be hell, but all will be a lesson to learn.
Time is something we all have an infinite supply of. Do not be too quick to arrive at your destination as there is so much to learn and enjoy along the way. There will be many experiences and opportunities to cross paths with others. As you grow spiritually, through the experiences of your journey, you will feel the path narrow, a sign that you are approaching the ultimate destination for all of us. It is, afterall, the path we take.
Don't hesitate to travel a difficult path if that is the direction your heart is leading. Along the way you will fill your personal toolbox with the skill set needed to be successful in education, business, relationships... life.
-- Anonymous
Editor's Note: Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.
It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.
We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
Pastor Frank Anthony Villari
Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."
All so true Tony! That 4th pic looks like a trail i used to have to ride, dragging a pack mule in Arizona. You had to ride side saddle, no leg room.~Terry Lay~
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