Coracle Trust E-Reflections

Choosing a Way

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost

Music:  La Rondine Act I, Chi il bel sogno di Doretta.  Montserrat Caballé

Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:14, The Message)

Real demands

To me homework nowadays seems to ask and expect a much higher degree of intelligence that I ever recall having had.  In his book The Developing Christian Peter Feldmeier observes, ‘Family and society do not hesitate to expect a good deal from teens in terms of school, sports, music and beyond, but we flounder in things religious.  Instead of exposing youth to faith, we must make some real demands’. In light of trying to wrestle seriously, I hope, with Jesus’s call to a radical lifestyle I find this comment a challenge.

Flourishing or wilting?

Choosing a less worn path, choosing what to hear and follow amidst a mix of truth, false voices and uncertainties is a major ask.  Being aware of what is true and ancient, planted deep within us, is worthy of our attention and tentative steps.  Scripture and practice tell us that some paths lead to life, deep and satisfying life, whilst others choke and starve the very life within.  For me the study of history, of the industrial revolution in Scotland and then England, did not lead to life as a 13 year old*. But then again it was not of my choosing!

So, I scratch my head and ask, How do I choose my path?  Have I noticed what causes my inner life to flourish and outer compassion to grow?  When I have followed those paths, however tentatively, has that made all the difference?

*  nor as a 46 year old I’m afraid