Paths

How many of you are on the path of life? Hmm... hands all over the screen. We are (or should be) on the path of life. We are all there. Moving forward or back tracking or attempting to stand still. Some are more prepared than others. Some paths are cleared others are trekking through the wilderness. The variations are as endless as the people on the planet, but what we all have in common is we are all hiking and none of us know where the summit is.

Did you notice the stones?

Paths cross and go every way possible. However, the interesting thing about hiking is that if you see another way, a possibly better way, you can take it. You don't have to stay on the 'trail,' though for the most part it is advised. Also, hiking is best done with someone and if you are going alone you told someone you were going anyways, no? This works for the metaphor of life as well. You can take you life in any direction you want. You can trail-blaze alone or not and chances are you aren't going to catch a plane and not tell anyone where you are going, when/if you will be back etc.

Hiking and Life have something more in common.. something much more important. The Sun (Yes the Sun and if you still have you hands raised please put them down) and no it isn't a metaphor for the Son of God. You see life is a path. We know where we are trying to go, sometimes, but we always know where we came from. Some people are more prepared with the hiking gear of God. Prepared for anything... including night.

When the Sun goes down what do you do? Hopefully you are prepared and pull out a flashlight with charged batteries (unlike every movie made ever) and proceed.. cautiously. Cause you know what comes out at night. Or you simply stop, pitch a tent if you have one and wait until the season of darkness is over. Some may go backwards to start again another day. But quitting when the going gets tough doesn't prove anything to yourself or anyone else and requires no faith.

Sometimes the moonlight in the darkness is enough to see, but the moon won't always be there, however it will always come back with perfect timing.

And what about out life. We can all agree there are just as many times when life is great as there are when we have no idea what is going on. Life is a path. Faith is trusting the direction, but if things go dark we simply pull out a flashlight or the Bible, trust the Word and continue. We can do that yes, though not everyone has a flashlight in the darkness. Something interesting about flashlights is that they don't only work for one person. Many people can proceed with one person leading the way. Just as one person with a Bible can lead others.

Maybe it isn't all about finding our way but about helping someone find there's. Its really easy to say trust God when you are devout Christian and you know your path, but to someone holding the map upside down, with a match about to go out trying to figure out which way is which. Throwing it all away and walking in the darkness seems foolhardy, but with a companion and a flashlight.... they might trust you and you might be the only Jesus they ever meet.

We aren't confined to our bubble of a life. When someone is struggling we should put our life on hold and help. That is what the Good Samaritan did. He saw someone. He helped someone. Simple. There weren't a lot of questions asked. None of that 'How did you get here?' 'You brought it upon yourself' nonsense. Just a detour in his current path to take the man to the inn. What's makes your life any better than theirs?

And where is God? What is the metaphor for God? Well the trail markers. What are they to you? You have faith that following them will get you where you want to go. I hope. Otherwise what are you doing? The trail map for when you want to go off trail but still don't want to be lost. He is more than one thing because He is more than one thing. Don't throwaway the map. Ever.

Many people are so concerned about themselves and getting to the top that they miss the great vistas along the way. They miss opportunities to meet new people, learn new things, or help someone that could become a companion in their life as well. But life isn't a race. If you beat everyone to Heaven you would still be lonely. Don't be that guy...

I leave you with another picture. Of hilarity. Something that can only happen when time is taken to enjoy life with others. A grilled Pop-Tart.

This is a pop-tart on a grill. Worst camping decision ever.

We need more 'Grilled Pop-Tarts' in our lives. More moments of laughter where absolutely nothing matters.