More about the path

Acts 13:6-10New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

The metaphor of a path on our journey of faith is a difficult one.  It would be nice to think that the path God puts in front of us is simply straight and true, without the detours and sideways and bi-ways I mentioned yesterday.

However, the truth is that the path doesn't always seem straight.  Sometimes it DOES seem crooked.  Yet here Paul has strong words for someone who tries to lead God's people on a crooked path.

So rather than try to make too much of the metaphor, instead maybe we can think about how we know when we are on a path that is of God rather than a path that is one that leads us away from God.  

Or how, when we inevitably find ourselves of a path that leads us away from God (which, have no doubt we all find ourselves on at one point or another), we can find our way back onto a path of God.

It's good to be cautious and aware of the "Elymases" out there - those people or things that draw us away from God's call to us.  It isn't that God can't reach us wherever we are, but we can certainly make it harder for ourselves to hear God's message of love and forgiveness when we surround ourselves with contrary voices and ideas.

It's worth taking time each day - time in silence, meditation, reflection and prayer - to listen to the working of God in our lives and to help ourselves discern what things or voices in our lives draw us away.

Prayer then isn't simply talking to God about our desires, wants, needs, and hopes.  It isn't even simply about praising God and thanking God. Sometimes it is about sitting back and listening and sensing and feeling.

Trying to make sure you can still feel that path under your feet.

God, enliven all of my senses to pay attention to your call and path as I walk this journey with you.  Amen.