You know I don’t see many of these—church signs that are truly thoughtful. Usually they are damning or judgmental, or just plain stupid. But this one read, “No man ever got lost on a straight road”. I was thinking just how insightful this is—a path that just consists of God and his ways will surely keep you from becoming spiritually lost. But then I realized what one might miss out on if they indeed “travel” in this manner. I thought about the many side roads I’ve taken over the years. Some were uneventful. But others were decidedly adventurous. They weren’t always safe—there were times when I became spiritually lost for sure. There were times when I lost sight of everything completely. But those were also the times when God appeared to work the most in my life—bringing me to where I am now. Even the road to Quakerism was a side one for me. I literally made a wrong turn and drove by a Friends Church, and thus began my life in the world of Friends. I look back on the many turns I took, and God has taught me so much about those times. I frequently use them in my ministry. And to think, if I’d walked a straight path continuously, I’d never have that “baggage” I’d collected along the way—the baggage that makes me who I am as a follower of Christ.
on 03 Nov 2007 at 8:50 am 1.Alan said …
If the road was easy, the journey wouldn’t be as meaningful. How easy would it be to get from point A to point B. Most people like scenic routes, so too is it with faith journeys. Something looks inviting (look there’s a short scenic loop here..) and we check it out. Who knows what would happen then…
Alan
on 04 Nov 2007 at 8:49 pm 2.April Baker said …
Thanks for your thoughts, Alan. You are so right!
on 08 Nov 2007 at 10:40 am 3.Robin Mohr said …
I’m glad that one of your turns led you to write the article about Hillel Friends in the ESR newsletter, and that a Friend forwarded me a link to the newsletter and that I realized, hey – I read her blog! And I’ve met Craig Fox, who also wrote about Hillel Friends, because he came to SF Meeting once. The world of Quakers has always been small, but the roads are getting even shorter over the internet.
One of the recent insights I enjoyed came from reading Hannah Whitall Smith’s book The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life. She wrote that just because we wander off of God’s path doesn’t mean that the path has disappeared and that one of the wonderful things about God’s path is that we can always choose to get back on it.
In my experience, it’s good to carry some baggage when you’re hiking, especially if it’s a long trip, even if some of it is the garbage you’re packing out, but too much will slow you down. Just to continue the metaphor a bit.
on 09 Nov 2007 at 12:29 am 4.Kate said …
Yes– isn’t it called the “straight and narrow path”? Sometimes narrow isn’t so good either. I know God has led me down plenty of winding roads and plenty of side streets, and like yours, these were valuable trips.
on 13 Nov 2007 at 1:57 pm 5.Allison said …
Just a thought – for all you know, that wrong turn WAS the straight path. The path with heart might have lots of bumps and twists. The “straightness” I think refers to just being on the path in the first place.
on 13 Nov 2007 at 2:32 pm 6.April Baker said …
Just a thanks to all who are reading my blog (and the ESR Reports!). I know there are tons of blogs you could be reading, so I really appreciate you reading mine!
Thanks, too, for the thoughts about the journey. Maybe I am on the straight path–who knows? What I do know is that I have lots of baggage and have made many turns, and all have contributed to my relationship with God and creation.