Paths: 15 November 2009

You will show me the path to life.
Psalm 16:11

It is the time of year when many of the fields are prepared for the winter and next spring’s growing season. The barley field surrounding our house was harvested a couple weeks ago and this morning it was plowed leaving a rather dismal looking dark brown landscape. If my recollection of the cycle of plantings in this particular field is on target, next spring it will be planted with corn. As much as I appreciate and respect the gift and toil of farmers, I can’t help feeling disappointed that the field is now plowed because when the grain was harvested it provided an extremely accessible short cut to the pasture where I take my daily walk with the dogs where I can let them loose to run freely and safely. That convenient “path” across the field is now gone.

On the plus side, the paths winding up and down and around the hills in the pasture are quite accessible. And…there is certainly an alternate route to take to the pasture other than the short cut through the now plowed field.

Our spiritual life mirrors the image a path. Sometimes we see the path, or way, clearly and it becomes familiar and comfortable. At other times our preferred spiritual practices just don’t reap the connection with the Divine we have grown to find comfort in and we may experience much difficulty, or even find it next to impossible to find comfort and peace and rest and nourishment for our weary souls. What was once consoling or enriching becomes dry or stagnant. We find it hard to know which path, or spiritual practice, to take to renew our spirits. As a result we may frantically go about searching for other options based on what others tell us (which may or may not be in our best interest) and perhaps make choices on impulse rather than listening for the voice of the Holy within.

When we come to realize it is our task to trust in our Sacred Guide who will indeed show us, as the psalmist writes, the path to life, we take a huge step in letting go of our human desire to be in control of everything. What a blessing and gift it is to let go our human desires and rely on the graciousness of Divine Love to show us the way and guide us along the path created just for us.

Peace on the Journey.