The Journey

That post. You know the one—the one that has taunted me sine last June. I mentioned it in my November post, Trust Issues. 

I couldn’t let that post carry over into 2017. I had to get it right. Finish it.

This is where 6 months of revisiting and tweaking have led me …

Stand with me for a moment at the end of a path.

A fork branches off before us. Each new path looks dusty and worn. We are free to choose which path we will take.

Our destination is the same regardless of our choice.

A sign at the fork labels each path: to our right branches off Faith, and to our left Fear.

If we choose Fear, we will surely face doubt, worry, and dread. But if we choose Faith, we choose peace instead.

Fear is full of all the “what ifs” and “whys” that we don’t have the answers to, but Faith gives us confidence in everything we do.

Fear is full of risks, unknowns, and reactions.

Faith is full of a greater satisfaction.

Fear demands we are always ready and striving to do more.

Faith invites us to relax beside the waters of the shore.

The choice seems obvious even though both paths are obscured.

Fear appears dark and overgrown with vegetation. Faith seems brighter. A few glimpses of sunlight and a blue sky peek through, but Faith’s path is foggy, concealing much of our view.

So which path do we take? The choice is still ours.

We look again closely at the sign, hoping for some direction, but we still don’t know what to do because the paths are labeled as equally long, rugged, and hard.

A crowd has gathered, also contemplating the paths.

Groups huddle together. Whispers and concern fill the air.

Which path is harder? Which view is the best? What if I get weary and need a place to rest?

We begin to worry and have anxieties of our own.

Our destinies are uncertain.

What if the choice we make is wrong?

“Come”

A distant voice calls to us—just us two.

Suddenly we are granted a different perspective … a wider view.

We find ourselves at the end of the two paths where the exits converge, worn and well traveled.

An old man, dressed in white from his clothes to his timeworn hair, waits in his rocking chair.

He greets us with a big, hearty hello.

His kind smile and crystal blue eyes—full of wisdom—draw us in.

He doesn’t seem rushed or bothered. He calls us onto the porch as he pats the rocking chairs on each side of him.

We explain our struggle with the choice we must make. He rocks as he listens to the matters of our fate.

We plead our case and seek his wisdom, exhausting everything we know. Surely he will tell us something—which path to take, which way to go.

He rocks and gazes off in the distance at the two converging paths, then begins to speak words—words we try to grasp.

I understand your questions, your longing, and your strife.

Which path should you take?

Which choice is right?

I stood at the head of those two paths searching for answers, too.

I wanted to experience life’s grandly designed plans. I wanted to capture it all in these very hands.

I made my choices. I even regret a few. But here on this side, I realize I was missing this view.

Fear, anxiety, and all my striving to be more caged me, locked me away, and stole my ability to dream … my opportunity to explore.

Don’t fear, fret or worry: a path has been designed for each of you—a path full of purpose, wonder, and meaning, too.

There is a guide. He is waiting for you both.

He offers protection, provision, and growth.

Trust the journey. Invite the guide to lead.

He can show you destinations with amazing views—special locations only He can lead you to.

Step out of your struggles, your hardships, your pains, the uncertainty and striving of all YOU are trying to obtain.

Unclench your fists.

Surrender.

Set yourself free.

Invite life to happen.

You’re only required to believe.

Take risks.

Do what you love.

Breathe it all in … even the heartache and the sorrow. You need more than just joy to realize your brightest tomorrow.

The guide is here with you … He is here right now.

Can’t you hear him calling, “Come and walk with me”?

He has planned a grand adventure full of peace, hope, and endless mystery.

The old man’s blue eyes sparkled as he spoke, and now as he pauses, the sparkle becomes brighter—a beacon of hope.

He releases a breath I haven’t noticed him holding and begins to speak again.

I guess it’s obvious which path I would take if I could return to the beginning of those two paths. But I have completed my journey. I made it to the end …

You two need to get going. You have a big decision to make.

It will all work out. It always does with matters of fate.

We bid our farewells, for some reason not really wanting to leave.

And as we step off that wise man’s porch, he speaks to us again.

Don’t wait as long as I did to call on my friend.