This morning I felt the need for exercise and needed to go to our local Post Office. It was one of those beautiful sunny Suffolk days with blue sky and big white fluffy clouds. As I walked by the fields the various crops were looking almost ready for harvesting. In some of the fields the farmers had left large areas at the side for wildflowers and there was a profusion of various insects visiting poppies, scabiosa, pyramid orchids amongst other commoner flowers.
Part of my walk was a long road, whilst at other times the wild hedgerow had almost obliterated the pathway. One part is on a bridleway and the path is easy to follow. It is however quite hidden from wider view as the hedges and trees that line the path form a sort of tunnel with the light at the end of the tunnel in the distance.
As I walked along the various pathways, this got me to thinking about my faith journey.
There are times when we travel along a “tarmac” road – it gets a bit boring, after a while you get footsore. However, the road leads us to more interesting landscape, and of course at the end of the journey, the road brings us back home.
Does your faith sometimes feel routine, a daily grind, going through the motions? Those daily routines, though may lead to “hidden gems”, and are the foundation on which our faith can grow.
There are times when we are unsure if we are on the right path, there are no signposts, the hedgerow is overgrown and, after a heavy night’s rain, pushing through the undergrowth leads to wet legs and feet.
Is our faith sometimes overgrown with distractions, as attractive as they may be – a butterfly taking off from an orchid, or a bumble bee drinking in the nectar from a scabiosa flower. It may be that God wants us to slow down, to observe those “hidden gems.” Having walked the path before, despite the path being obscured, we can be confident we are heading in the right direction. If we study the scripture regularly, pray regularly, then God will give us the confidence and the strength to face those difficult paths that we may meet.
Another time we may walk on familiar ground, along a hidden tunnel, aiming for the light in the distance. There will be difficulties along the way – shades of dark amidst the dappled sunlight. However, that light is always there at the end of the tunnel. We can turn around and see how far we have come; we can reflect on the journey we have made. However, our focus remains on the One True Light, that shines through the thickest hedge, that continues to illuminate our path despite distractions, despite our weariness.
What pathways do you travel on?