September 29, 2006 – Kenya – The Path

     I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but I always been one to wander off the path.  As in my September 3^rd entry, I explained how easy it is for me to lose my way.  I’m walking on the path, then I see a butterfly.  I wander off to see the butterfly, and see some flowers, as I get close to the flowers I see an overlook with a breathtaking view.  Before I know it – these distractions have led me far from the path, and I find myself lost – unable to locate the path.  This is a very simple and literal example, but our spiritual life is so similar to this path.  We are put on the path and have a clear sense of direction.  The view ahead is clear.  There are no boulders or brush to obstruct our travel.  The distractions we experience in real life are often much more attractive than butterflies and flowers – and their lure much more powerful.   We are distracted from the path by the likes of money, success, power, sex, drugs & alcohol and people, to name a few.  I think all of these things, and many more fit under one category – my will.  If I have money, all of my problems will be solved.  If I can find success in business, my life will be so much better.  If I can win the love of this person, I will find true contentment.  There are countless addictions we may use to escape our reality, fill a void or simply relieve the pain of our human condition.  Whatever the distraction, we wander off to pursue and experience these things and soon find ourselves far from the path.  We reach the point of realizing we are lost – and are unable to find our way back. 

     At times our wandering is conscious and intentional.  Even though we know it is wrong – we chose it anyway.  I think for most of us, it’s often not deliberate.  As well intentioned as we can be, we find ourselves slowly drawn away, until we are hopelessly lost.  Being distracted, or lost does not by any means make us bad people.  We are by nature broken, and prone to wander.  God is not surprised by the fact that we have left the path.  He gave us free will, and the power to exercise it.  It is always our choice to wander, and our choice to return.  The most amazing part of grace and unconditional love is God’s ability to separate who we are, from our failures and shortcomings.  Although our wandering is no doubt a source of disappointment to Him, He never, not for one beat of our hearts stops loving us.  And when we deicide to return, the Shepherd will leave the 99, and rejoice in the return of the one.

     In America, we are constantly bombarded with distractions – things that cause us to wander from the path.  We try to define ourselves by dollar amounts, titles, bigger homes, faster cars and designer clothing.  We try to fill spiritual voids with chemicals, sex, gambling – even altering our bodies.  There are very few of these distractions in Africa.  For most of the population – there is little if any money, you don’t have a job – much less a title, you wear what you wore yesterday, and the day before, and for all of the time I have spent working in hospitals and village clinics – I’ve never heard much about breast-enhancement or hair replacement. 

     The distractions are here – they are just different.  I have learned about some of them through my personal experiences.  During my time in the Eastern regions of Kenya and Somalia I wasn’t always treated as I thought I should be.  People called me names, spit on me, slapped me, threw rocks at me and threatened my life – to say the least.  I was witness to things done to children that I couldn’t even imagine.  Tears flow and trembles overtake me at the thought – as I’m sure they will as long as I live.  This is where the distractions come in.  I became filled with bitterness, anger and hatred.  Hate – a word and sentiment forbidden in my home – now filled my heart.  This emotion seemed completely justified.  Who wouldn’t be bitter, be angry – who wouldn’t hate these people?

     Jesus.

     “When your cheek is slapped, offer the other.”

     How many times should I forgive my brother?  Seven? - “Seventy times seven”.

     And finally, after being scourged, beaten, mocked and nailed to a cross – He lifted His head and said “Father, forgive them – for they know not what they do.”

     It puts you back on the path.  These people – who to me, personified evil – were human.  They had learned what they lived.  They were children of God – no less than I.  They were sinners, in need of a Savior – no more than I.  They were far from the path, and perhaps didn’t even know there was a path.   As hard as my emotions pulled – as justified as I felt they were - it was not my place to judge them. 

     I learned that my emotions could take me just as far from the path as any other distraction.  I learned that in a broken world, there is no escape from distraction or evil – it just takes different forms.  Although this was an extreme example – I look back on my life at how many times I have wandered from the path due to bitterness, resentment, pride or want.  I realize now, that if any of these emotions occupy my heart, I am not on the path.  The effects of “external” distractions – money, power, drugs – seemed obvious, but I had never really given proper credence to the “internal” distractions.

     Here’s the good news:  Regardless of the distraction, regardless of how far you have wandered – whether for a lifetime, or for a thought – you are always welcomed back onto the path.  You can wander far, but never too far – there is no such thing as ‘the point of no return” as it applies to the love of Christ.  The path is straight. There are no boulders or thorns to obstruct your view.  There are no pits to fall into, no cliffs to fall off of.  No snakes or wild animals to harm you.  Chances are, if I am encountering boulders, thorns, pitfalls or beasts – I am not on the path.  The choice is always mine.  I can choose to deal with the adversity – or humble myself, ask Him to forgive my wandering and show me the way back to the path. 

     The path is good.  Every detail has been carefully planned.  The path is the divine will of God.  If you are on the path and come to a steep incline – there will be steps.  If you encounter a river – there will be a bridge, or you will be taught to swim.  And when you come to the end of the path – you get wings.  Promise.

Shine!