Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson...
This quote brings several thoughts to my mind immediately:
1 - trail - trial - same letters - different order
2 - The Bible verse mentioning broad is the way that leads to destruction - enter the narrow gate...
3 - The danger of doing your own thing without guidance in being prepared....
I'll try to tackle these in this post unless it gets too long. I won't be able to write this in my journal because I took the page to write the 2 prayers on that page I listed in the first 2 posts.
1. I heard it pointed out somewhere before that trail and trial have the same letters just in a different order. In viewing any trial we may go through as a trail to something different it can help encourage us to keep a different perspective / mindset in order...instead of only focusing on the present difficulties we will be considering the potential results. This could help us weigh more carefully how our actions, thoughts and attitudes behind them can influence the outcome.
2 - Matthew 7:13-14 says that broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life and few are those that find it. It is important to not just follow the crowd becase most of them will not be pursuing God's design. To be on the narrow does mean to be in a smaller group of people off the main path.
3 - But I was a bit surprised to find this quote in the journal because in Biblical terms I disagree with Mr Emerson - straying off a path is generally not the safest route and can lead to ending up where God doesn't want us to go just as well as staying on the broad way. The Bible states there are 2 courses - the broad way and the narrow way - most likely if you leave the path you will still be on the broad way (just with less people and comforts) and have a more difficult time finding the narrow way . You don't just walk off the path and find the narrow way. You do have to be prepared and be looking for it to enter at the narrow gate. It is protected and maintained and still visible. His encouragement to not blindly follow one direction is appropriate. It is a choice which way to go...and at that point following the narrow way brings blessings and a safety that the other way can't - even when we are going through trials on our trail!
We aren't called to start our own trail - but to look for the one God wants us to follow. The trail has been followed by others before us and will be followed again by people after us. A comforting thing while following a trail going through a land is that we know we aren't alone. The smaller path gives an even more intimate connection to those who are on it and to the one who maintains the trail. We are even forced to go slower, look around and observe everything around us. We become more focused and grounded. This opportunity for a closer community and deeper reflection keeps us understanding what things are important and brings more life to us and those around us.
Maybe I'll have some more thoughts on trails after I go trail running soon. I recently bought some special trail shoes and want to go with a friend to run some local trails. It's supposed to be more intense but calming then traditional running on the road! That's all for now!
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