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Tag Archives: path

The path

29 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Theology

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God, path

Here’s a simple observation – ok, maybe not so simple.

Life is like a path that we are on.  Although it’s not a nice path all the time.  Usually the path is a bit rocky and not smooth.  Sometimes it requires that we keep our head down so we don’t fall over from tripping on something.  And often the path has some thick fog which prevents us from seeing where the path is going or that the path might change directions all of a sudden or, God forbid, end.

We each go along a path though.  They are paths that God walks along with us.  But there’s a nice thing about that.  When we walk with God, or rather, when God walks with us, we get these nice little directional signals from time to time – not always, and not even when we need them sometimes.

Yet, far too often we tell God “Yeah, but I want to go this way instead,” as if we know the way the path is going.  And often God responds by saying, “Ok, but you’re not going to like that direction.  But I’ll walk along with you anyway, just so you aren’t going it alone.  Often we see someone else’s path along side our own and think how wonderful their path is – oh boy, if only our path were like their path.  We need to get on their path.  They seem to have this path thing down pretty good.  Yet God taps us on the shoulder and says – “Yeah, but that’s their path, you aren’t them.  I made you to be you.  Let’s continue on this path, it’s far better for you.”

And then we choose – do we respond to God’s call and stay on the path, even though we don’t know where it goes, or do we blaze our own trail – thinking that we can see down the road clearly?

I can only speak from my experience.  Every time I have tried to get on someone else’s path, it usually doesn’t go well or nearly as well as I thought it would.  How could it.  It is someone else’s path – made for them, not for me.

Every time I respond with trust – it’s scary as hell.  I’m not in control.  I want to run or scream.  Or hide.  Yet, taking that first step into the unknown is the hardest step.  And every time that I let trust take me forward, I’m not disappointed.  I remind myself that  God does know better than me.

What path are you on?

The path of life

03 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Theology, Travel

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Letchworth State Park, new york, path, stone, water

I wonder how often we feel that the paths of our lives look like this:

dscn1134

An uphill climb that look rugged and dangerous.  But with some footings.

Or maybe we see life like this:

dscn1140

Swimming upstream with no way out, just swimming and swimming.

Yet, I think we all envision the path of life should be like this:

dscn1142

It’s not perfect, but we can at least walk along the way.

Lesson for church:  Life is a combination of a climb, a swim, and a walk on a path.  We are called to be with people on the side of the cliff, in the water, and along the path.  Not to shout at them and harass them and ask them why they aren’t on the right path.

Stairway to…

28 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church, Travel

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Letchworth State Park, new york, path

When you hike along the gorge path at Letchworth State Park in New York, USA, you to a lot of walking and climbing and stepping.  Just to show what I mean, check out this set of steps we went down:

dscn1121

One of the things I think about when I go to a park is how to get from one place to another.  What has the park management done to make life a little easier, without removing all of the challenge.  Steps on the side of a hill are a good example of this – they tell me a good bit.

And they are artistic in their own way too.

dscn1122

Lesson for church: How are we making disciples?  Are we leading people on a path that has obvious thought thrown in, or are we just saying “good luck, I’m sure you’ll pick things up on the way.”

 

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laceduplutheran

laceduplutheran

I believe that God, church, and theology are approachable, enjoyable, and relevant for everyone. I write about this a lot because people need to hear it. So many people feel lost, hopeless, alone, and are searching for identity and meaning. I'm an ELCA Pastor (Lutheran) who has a background in politics, business, and the non-profit worlds. I take churchy theological ideas and words and communicate them in everyday language that people can understand, in ways that relate, and show that God, church, and theology matter a great deal. Oh, and it doesn't have to be boring either - mostly because it's the best news ever!

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