Pathways of Rock

Every summer when our family of four + dog goes to the Northwoods of Maine, we hike. The mountainous region in which we stay is full of incredible trails in the middle of the woods. For some, this sounds terrifying and altogether awful. For me and my family, it's pure bliss. Driving deep into the woods, sometimes on questionable roads, we follow our guidebook to get to the sometimes hidden trailheads. Some trails start slow and then rise quick; others, cut by fire wardens from days gone by, go straight up—usually to a fire tower where they would check for forest fires. What a job!

On some occasions, we hop on a trail that is part of the Appalachian Trail. One day, maybe I'll take on all 2,200 miles of it. My son and I hopped in the car this summer to head to a little hidden trail some 1 hour and 40 minutes into the woods (disclaimer: church family, I do love being with you, but there's something enchanting about the peace and quiet and solitude of the woods). We started hiking.

I noticed something unique about this particular part of the trail that I've noticed on other stretches of well-traveled trail in Maine. It was mostly rock. There are countless trails with boulders and scrambles, but this one was a pathway of rock. It was so well traveled that not a stitch of moss or grass or dirt lay in the middle. We had no need of white blazes or maps. We knew the way.

Proverbs 4 is loaded with incredible verses of wisdom, but Solomon writes instructing his son in the way he should go. It's a powerful chapter all about the path. You can hear a father talking to his son about how to hike on a trail. Go here, watch your step, turn this way, wait for me at the top, listen to my voice and follow me this way. Solomon, talking about the trail of life, says these words:

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”

What wise steps did you take today? Did you hop off the path of wisdom for a moment only to be directed back on by God's grace? Following Jesus has lots of twists and turns, but there's a path. . . a trail. . .that is full of joy and life. Psalm 16:11 says “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The church is a group of broken people, walking along the trails of life, seeking wisdom and guidance from our great shepherd Jesus. His words are ever true; a lamp for our feet, a light to our path.