the SOCKLESS prophet

There was a peculiar rock deep in the forest near a church we attended during my childhood. This huge rock had a small waterfall that flowed near it, and a single tree growing from it‘s top. We loved hiking down to the rock after church with my father. The path was long as it wound down the hill. My father always cautioned to stay together so that we did not get hurt or lost. One day, I decided to make my own path, straight down through the brush and brambles. What I didn‘t know was that my younger brother had followed after me. He became so entangled in the briars that I had to get our father to help him out. When we finally reached the rock, my father glanced down and said, ―We follow the path not because it is the only way, but because it is the easiest way for others to follow us.‖

In Ephesians 4, Paul writes: ―I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. (4:1b-3)― In this passage, Paul is reminds us that the paths we choose to walk in life are important. The way we live influences the spirituality of those around us as much as it does our own.

Paying attention to the details of our lives and faith does not always appear to be the easiest way to reach fulfillment. But Each time we half-heartedly walk our faith, it is as if we have set out through life trying to make our own paths. The problem is that even if we are successful…we haven‘t helped anyone else find their way. The way we live should lead us closer to God, but also help make God easier for others to find. Our lives and spirituality are deeply connected to those around us. If we strive to live all aspects of our daily walk as faithfully as possible, our life and the lives of those around will be blessed. When God is the center of our life, the people on it‘s circumference will show it.