The Path We Take (Updated post from 4/11/15)

 

"It's your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you."

-- Rumi

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 twists or turns, no barriers to our journey, with signs and arrows to ensure we make it to our pre-determined destination, and railings 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.

My readers like to send me emails about the unusual.  Many times, I find these may be of use in some future posts.  Recently I received a collection of photos that depicted different paths.  There isn't anything eye-opening in the photos, there is no expectation of epiphany, there are just a few pictures I thought you could consider when you look at your own path or the path you're searching for.

What I see in these photos, I have seen along my own path in life.  The cobblestone path, atop the crumbling arch that bridges some crevasse.  I wonder how many have traveled this path, and I remember similar paths I took in other countries.  

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 heaven, to easily reach the top.  But, you might be concerned about 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 so much less taken.  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 of derring-do.

You can search out a path to travel.  You can follow in the footsteps of those that have gone before.  Or, you can blaze your own trail and 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?  Is it 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, well, they could.  They found themselves up to the challenge and said, "What the heck?  Let's do it!"  Those that follow might marvel at the engineering and learn.  They will cherish some future moment when they passed this way and marvel at the accomplishment.  Time well spent.

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 "bat suit," 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 another concrete building, 50 floors up.  These are the paths traveled by "roughnecks" that work the high steel without harness or safety rope, people with no fear, or people with a gun to their head.  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.  Something to do with that "spiritual" path.

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 rely on your own abilities to get you through.  On the road sign up ahead it may read, "The Twilight Zone." Interstate 10, through Texas, had a sign that said, "Last Chance for Gas!" If you topped off your tank you were also smart to carry an extra can, just in case.  This stretch of road was not conducive to a healthy "pucker factor."  

But, there are always opportunities for other trails that, though not as exciting, offer ample opportunity to enjoy God's greatness without the danger of missing the rest of your personal journey due to the rabid stupidity of thrill-seeking.  These are interesting trails where you see the glory of creation, meet interesting folks and, occasionally, find that the five-mile hike really took you out of your way only to wind up at some dead-end rest area at the bottom of some very deep canyon at sunset.  Okay, so everything involves a bit of risk, it's all a matter of degree, right?

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 colors, noises, rides, and fattening foods, that are the "carnival" of mankind.  God expects you to find a path.  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 don't take that first step, you haven't unwrapped the first gift. 

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 represent lessons you are expected 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.  Life is truly about the journey.  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 maturing and, perhaps, approaching your ultimate destination.  It is, after all, the path you took.

If this turns out to be the wrong path, take heart. You have the free choice to continue on and take the fork up ahead. Just ignore the sign:

CAUTION:

Twilight Zone Ahead

 

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

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

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. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, 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 learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com