Science for Youth Ministry

Luther Seminary has received a $1.2 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to fund a three-year project called Science for Youth Ministry: The Plausibility of Transcendence. The project will catalyze faith-and-science conversations with young people through youth ministry and will produce materials to encourage those discussions.

More information on this project can be found on the Luther Seminary website and has a great introductory video from lead collaborator Andrew Root.  https://www.luthersem.edu/research/templeton_grant.aspx

I cannot count how many conversations with students I have had over my 15 years of youth ministry when they ask the daunting question:  Can Faith and Science be connected?

Concept of science and faith locked in battle, or harmony, depending on one’s perspective.

They really want to know whether or not their Christian faith (worldview and convictions) can be reconciled with scientific discoveries or “truths” they are learning in school.  In many ways, I suppose this is not a brand new phenomenon or challenge facing youth ministers.  I suppose that ever since the Scopes trial in the 1920’s, issues of faith/region vs. science/technology have surfaced.    Then it was the creation and evolution debate. Now it might range from gender/sexuality biological findings to theories of time-space travel or the possible discovery of life on other planets.

I am honored to be a part of this conversation and will be attending a writing symposium at Luther Seminary with Andrew Root and other youth workers/thinkers/writers.  Initially, we will base our pieces on the book Galileo Goes to Jail: And Other Myths About Science and Religion edited by Ronald L. Numbers.

http://www.amazon.com/Galileo-Other-Myths-Science-Religion/dp/0674057414/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457642172&sr=1-1&keywords=galileo+goes+to+jail+and+other+myths+about+science+and+religion

I will write about my observations and reflections in later posts, as well as publish my article on this site.  For now,  I will say that throughout the history of humankind there have been misconceptions about how religion and science coincided in culture and in the hearts and minds of people of faith.  So, in many ways, what we are facing today is really not new or unique.  The actual questions and scientific discoveries may alter over time, but the general premise remains unchanged.

How, if at all, can my  faith coexist with science?  Can “ancient” religious views hold up against “modern” scientific discoveries?  Are those terms fluid or fixed..and for that matter, is one’s faith fixed or fluid?

For more information, and to get your hands on the forthcoming resources to help youth workers embark on this great journey, please visit the Science for Youth Ministry website  http://scienceym.org/

Also, join the online discussion and network by connecting on the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/scienceforYM/?fref=ts

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“The Whole Thing is a Temple” – Rob Bell’s talk. here. now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4LJWg4zr1A

It is finally arrived!  The epic talk given by Rob Bell at the Progressive Youth Ministry conference this past February in Dallas, TX

I wrote a post a few weeks back about Rob’s memorable and almost magical presentation, but now you can actually watch it for yourself.  *See the YouTube link provided above

http://emergingyouth.com/2016/02/24/on-rob-bell-broken-foots-and-deep-mysteries/http://emergingyouth.com/2016/02/24/on-rob-bell-broken-foots-and-deep-mysteries/

Enjoy and feel free to post thoughts, comments, or questions (which I am confident Rob’s talk brings up and he commends!)

 

 

On Rob Bell…broken foots and deep mysteries

Who begins a talk about the mysteries of the cosmos with a story about a broken foot and a Polish jack-of-all-trades miracle worker?

Rob Bell does.

In my last post, which was a review of the Progressive Youth Ministry Conference, I ended by alluding that Rob Bell spoke, without giving much print to him.

http://emergingyouth.com/2016/02/22/pym-16-progressing-in-the-cosmos/

Truth be told, Rob was indeed the featured “celebrity” speaker, the reason why some choose to attend the conference and for many the highlight of the weekend.

For ten years, much of my youth ministry teaching and pulpit preaching drew ideas and insights from Rob Bell’s books and Nooma videos.  I have always appreciated his thoughts and admired his way of communicating.  I know he has received a bad rap by a sub-sect of more fundamental Christians, but I still applaud his vision and was very happy to see him invited to come and speak at this year’s conference.

In classic Bell fashion, he cleverly crafted a story that helped illustrate how every question (and relative answer) always lends to another question…with a set of answers that inevitably lead to more questions..  Etc.. etc.

Every question and answer leads deeper down into mystery.

One of the basic premises of his talk was the view that all discoveries of humanity thus far, have actually done little to make sense of the human experience and emotions involved.  Scientists becomes theologians the moment they exclaim “Wow” at some wonder they observe. Similarly we become theologians when we experience something profound that no discovery can address.

To Bell, the world will always need those who can create spaces for people to share in the unexplained mysteries of life.  The human experience is rife with raw emotions that cannot be simply explained or rationed away.  These emotions and longings draw us inextricably together in ways that modern science (such as quantum entanglement) may beginning to now realize.

The posture for people of faith towards the advancement of the sciences should be an openness without fear that it will limit our view.  Rather, all discoveries and “truth” should be claimed and celebrated as an expanding of God’s presence in the cosmos and our particular lives.

This mindset does indeed enhance, rather than inhibit, our sense of the inter-connectivity of everything and that the presence of God does permeate in all, through all and with all.  This seems to concur with the ancients view of God and Jesus’ own beliefs.  The great religious traditions have a beautiful role to still play in the world, but too often focus on creating (and then defending/protecting/expanding) their own particular “temples” i.e. institutions, buildings, doctrines, denominations, creeds, etc..

The challenge, Rob offered, is for church to build up the temple in order to inspire others but not to focus on the temple…rather tear it down and let the Divine flood into the world.  This does not insinuate that God’s presence and activity is not already permeable throughout the cosmos, but rather how often people of faith believe that it somehow exists and operates almost exclusively within particularities.   The Jews certainly believed that to be true with the Divine and the Temple.  Jesus came onto the scene and radially revolutionized that concept in many ways, one of which was his conversation with a woman at a well:

¹ Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Sadly, many Christians have continued this false dichotomy and almost dualism by insisting that God can only be found, understood and experienced through very specific (and often limited) means.  This may include one’s particular creed, denomination, theological view, style of music, method of baptism, etc. etc.. etc…

What if….

What if the whole thing is a temple? 

Everything and everywhere.  The heights and depths.  The earth and the heavens.  The past and the future.  Those of homo-sapien origins and perhaps those of extraterrestrial existence?

It seems to me that if this were true, it would expand God’s majesty and beauty, while at the same time enhancing the importance of every aspect of life.  No more would the sacred -secular divide exist, which appears to be what Jesus desired and ushered in.

Well, every question leads to other questions, so I will ruminate on this idea for some time but am glad that Rob came to not only entertain us comically, but also enlighten us theologically in brilliant Bell fashion.

Being in the moment…a Lenten reflection

As I continue my Lenten journey, I am encouraged to reflect on the idea of what stands in our way in experiencing God anew this season. For some, Lent simply becomes a time to give up a favorite snack or drink, somehow confirming personal endurance or strength. Yet, Lent is to remind us that we cannot do it on our own power, but need to rely daily on God. Perhaps it is not chocolate or wine (both very popular here in France and indeed difficult to go without!) that we need to think seriously about. Perhaps busyness, worry, stress, or even our personal agenda is distracting us from experiencing freedom and new life this spring.

I remember a time one month ago when I was with my boys, Jack and Blake. It was one of those magical moments when they were laughing and playing and simply enjoying life. Rather than being captivated by this moment, I wanted to capture it and so naturally I took out my cell phone and attempted to take pictures and videos. Of course, my phone was not very “smart” then and did not work. Meanwhile, I realized I was missing the moment with my boys: so preoccupied with technology and maintaining a memory, that I was unable to create a memory.

Sometime, I confess, I am too busy taken up with life to step back and record such moments. Even if I am physically present, my mind is full of chores, duties, worries, or other preoccupations. I feel this impacts my time with my boys; and I fear this also has a profound impact on our relationship with God. Could it be that God in fact delights in our presence…our full and attentive presence?

But often we get too easily distracted by life’s worries. Even good things such as food, drink, and technology can become hindrances to entering fully and freely into God’s presence. This Lent, let us each reflect on what we can say “no” to and leave behind, so that we may be open to receiving the joy of God’s company.

One final springtime summary.

As I continue my reflections on what I will miss most here in Paris, I hear the birds chirping outside my office. Growing up in the northeastern United States, I remember that spring rarely showed her face until late April or May, whereas here in Paris, the month of March manifests miraculous new beginnings as the weariness of winter warms away. I have always appreciated and anticipated the early arrival of spring this month. The green grass, bulbs of flowers beginning to blossom, and the once barren trees beckoning forth their leaves. This serves as a hopeful reminder that during Lent, the deaths we may experience during winter, serve as fertile soil for new life to burst forth. May we let go and behold the beauty of it all!

 

#PYM14

I used that hash tag quite often a few weeks ago while in Chicago.

The Progressive Youth Ministry 2014 conference was my destination and reason I fly across the ocean from France back to the good ole’ U.S of A.  This has been a conference many have dreamed about for years.  Prior to moving, I would attend a few youth ministry seminars and conference each year.  Some big and some small but each time I would discover a like-minded affinity group of “progressives”.  Often treated like the extra grandchildren at Thanksgiving, we would be relegated to the “kids table” of some small room or late night pub discussion.  But from these encounters and interactions, deep friendships were forged and a vision born.

PYM14 was organized by the JoPa group and came together under the leadership of Tony Jones and John Vest, and I could not have been happier.

http://pym.thejopagroup.com/

The question left undefined, by design, was “What does ‘progressive’ even mean?  Moreover, how does one describe a progressive youth ministry?  While I have yet to answer those questions, I did realize a few things.

First, “progressive” does not mean liberal.  I really despise those division terms of conservative and liberal anyway.  Progressive also does not mean “anti-evangelical”

I was surprised to learn that approximately half of the over 200 attendees came from some form of “evangelical” background.  True, the vast majority of those are no longer working in those type of contexts, but are also unwilling to completely disassociate from their heritage.  The is a general belief and hope that the “left” and “right” can find beautiful points of convergence and experience a holy embrace.  Yes, this kiss might look ugly and sloppy at times, but at least it implies some form of connectivity and relationality.  We will see what this future looks like, but I sensed a palpable energy of openness to include those radically different.

Progressives do have a few common characteristics (in general).  Most support the rights of women and the LGBT community while also welcoming and affirming them within the Church.  While active in social and political issues, most progressives remain from political alignment, recognizing the importance of official separation. I would probably be unfair to say there were few Republicans in attendance, so I will not say that 🙂

Most importantly, the commonality shared in this conference was threefold:

1) Love for God and desire to serve the Church

2)  Passion for teenagers and belief they can change the future of the Church and world.

3)  Uncanny and unafraid openness to believe that God is bigger than we and the Spirit of Christ is, in fact, active and engaged in our world and future (and not just in the past)

Many attendees have blogged about their experiences.  You can read some of those here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProgYouthMin/223427967852288/?notif_t=group_activity

The following is a well-worded excerpt from Tony Jones’s blog, one of the organizers and key leaders in the conversation.  His reflection and sentiment cannot be better articulated, so I will let him speak for himself, and all those who attended!

“The speakers were incredible. Jeff Chu and H. Adam Ackley, a transgender theology professor spoke out of their own experience of being queer in their youth, and each of them explained how they could have been better ministered to by their churches.

And we listened.

Other speakers addressed how women are portrayed in rap and hiphop music, what “death of god” theology could mean in a confirmation class, what kind of youth pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was, and why process theology doesn’t suck. Otis Moss III preached us in, and Laura Truax preached us out. In other words, the content was amazing.

But something even more important happened last week at Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago.

What happened in that room was that we had a sense that something special is happening. There was an unmistakeable sense that we have an opportunity to claim a significant voice in the conversation about what youth ministry is in America, that we can fight back against moralistic therapeutic deism, and that we can start to articulate a view of God that is generous, life-affirming, and inclusive. We have a tribe — that’s a clear take-away from last week.

For myself, I knew from the opening session that I was among people whom I understood, and who understood me. Most of my own leadership skills were honed in youth ministry, so I appreciate the challenges that many of the folks in that room face. But I also knew that the energy in the room could only have been generated by youth workers. The laughter was a bit louder, the singing a bit bolder, and the tears a bit less restrained than we’d ever get at a different kind of pastor’s conference.”

People always ask me where I will “land” in ministry, and for now specifically youth ministry.  I certainly receive a warm “home” welcoming back from so many friends, both old and new.  The conference was fun and entertaining, especially the live podcast of Homebrewed Christianity with Tripp Fuller.

http://homebrewedchristianity.com/2014/04/13/youth-ministers-the-niebuhr-revival-pastormark-other-goodies-pym14/

This tribe speaks my language and speaks up for the issues closest to my heart. Yet one key admonishment during the week was for this small band of progressives not to become “tribal”.  Very easily that can happen.

I am glad to have feet in both camps of theological tradition and practical ministry.  I appreciate my evangelical heritage and foundation but also deeply appreciate the progressive soul and lived-out gospel.

My sincere hope is to continue to converse and communion with all youth workers from all denominations, traditions, backgrounds, races, and cultures.  For that is where the Body of Christ is most beautiful.

Thank you to #PYM14 for a much-needed voice and platform in the expanding world of youth ministry. 

Times are changing, and as the Spirit progresses forward ahead us, so must we. 

Magi Musings…an Epiphany epilogue

(the Epiphany mural above was photographed by yours truly at the Saint-Etienne-du-Mont in Paris)

I must confess that before I moved to Paris to work at The American Church, I did not know what Epiphany was, so if you find yourself wondering the same question…no worries!

In the liturgical worship of the Christian calendar, Epiphany is celebrated on January 5 this year to mark the arrival of the wise men or “magi” to worship the infant Christ.  Of course we do not know how many of them came to visit Jesus, but we do know that at least three signficant and symbolic gifts were presented.  We also do not know when precisely they arrived, but most scholars maintain it was probably a few months (or even up to two years) after the birth of Christ.  Either way, it is important to celebrate their arrival of these first Gentiles to worship the Savior of the nations.

Epiphany also concludes the 12 Days of Christmas, which contrary to some, is the 12 days of giving gifts after Christmas, not before. Epiphany is celebrated among liturgical denominations and Orthodox Christianity. In fact, a number of students and young adults from ACP who are from places like Russia, Romania and Greece, wait until January to give and receive their Christmas gifts.  Epiphany also marks the end of Christmastide and when the decorations are stored and festivities conclude, thus ushering in a new season of preparation for Lent.

The actual word Epiphany can be translated “manifestation”, “striking appearance” or “vision of God”, and as mentioned  traditionally falls on January 6. It is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a  human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visitation of the magi to the baby Jesus, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptisms in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. Many of the Eastern Churches follow a different calendar and so may observe this feast on January 19.

I rather enjoyed rethinking my normal Christmas traditions and assumptions and appreciate the continuation of the season and spirit into January. I was always one who wanted to keep up decorations at least through New Year’s day, but now I actually have a theological reason to do so!

Concerning the magi, we do not know much about their story (background, beliefs, or future faith journey), but we know that they were guided and lead by light.  They responded in faith with what they had.  a vision. a desire. a star.  hope

Many of us are on a similar journey.  We do not know where it will end up but we hope to encounter the Christ along the way.

As I reflect back upon the story, part of the beauty  for me is the journey of the magi.  People in biblical times were accustomed to rather long and tiresome journeys.  Hoping on a plane and traveling from Asia Minor to Bethlehem in 2 hours was not an option.

I  wonder what they were thinking during the day, week, and months of their pilgrimage.  These individuals were scholars, astrologers, and cosmologists.  They were intelligent, observant, and rational people I assume.  They were men of science…and faith it appears and God revealed himself to them in means they could understand and interpret.

A reasonable conclude from this story is that God worked, and works, in mysterious ways and we should not limited God to work only within traditional “religious” or even “Christian” parameters.

Many questions come to mind looking back upon this fascinating story

What the magi were hoping to find?

How much of God’s story did they know or understand?

Did they fully grasped what kind of Savior-King this would be?

Unlike some of our Christmas gifts, which I am sure were returned on “Boxing Day”, how much thought actually went into their gifts.

Did they really know that this baby would be a King unlike any other?  Did they ever come to understand or know that his baby ould serve as God’s High Priest eternally, and would die on behalf of the human race.

Did they know this on their journey towards Nazareth?

Did they leave their visit with this knowledge?

I suppose we cannot know.  But we do know that God spoke to them in amazingly clear and directive ways.

Is God speaking to you?

Might this new year be one of many “epiphanies”?

Are we prepared to hear the voice of God is strange and unusual ways?

May we be open and ready to discover God, not only through these miraculous manifestations but also  in the commonplace; arts, conversations, culture, and sciences.

It has become clear to me that God desires to be discovered in all, and through all things.  He is a self-revealing God, and we should not box God in by our own expectations and limitations.  God will come to us.  The question is…we will let him on his own terms?

Dispersing the gloomy clouds of night, Putting dark shadows to flight, The Dayspring has come to cheer us. The Lord has come to be near us. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to thee, O Israel!

December 14…a tale of two emotions

One year ago, on December 14 the greatest moment of my life occurred.

My wife Lauretta and I welcomed our first children into the world.

Jack Adams Haugh and Blake Charles Haugh were born in the afternoon in the city of Paris at a French hospital to the most astonished and amazed parents.

The strongest emotions of love, joy, vulnerability, pride (and fatigued) overwhelmed us at times.

Like most parents today, within a few hours we turned on our phones and wanted to update Facebook.

Then we saw the tragic news of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

On December 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot twenty children and six adult staff members in a mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the village of Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut.

The Facebook world, including all of our dear friends and family were in shock, utter disbelief and mourning that day.  For ten years, I lived within a 20-minute drive of Newtown, CT and had colleagues and friends who lived in that town.

As brand new parents, something instantly changed within us and we experienced strong empathy and grief for those parents who lost their beloved sons and daughters.

Needless to say, our joy was and the world’s pain converged that day in our own hearts.

I wondered how God felt that day.  I can imagine that throughout the course of each day people experience tremendous joy while others endure tragedy.

As a brand new parent, now celebrating our boys’ first birthday, I am taken back to Newtown and still cannot fully understand the pain those parents experienced and probably continue to experience.

While the Haugh family celebrates today with balloons and presents, parents in Newtown will use flowers to visit the graves of their babies.

Here at The American Church in Paris we have a community remembrance service as we stand in unity and solidarity over the loss experienced by that community and the world.

I pray for those families. Truly.

I pray they are able to find peace, healing and hope.  I am not too sure how I would cope, but would hope that God’s grace would be sufficient.

If you have yet to watch this short video documenting the healing process of one particular family, I strongly commend it to you.

‘Evil Did Not Win’ At Sandy Hook: Video Celebrates Life Of Emilie Parker, A 6-Year-Old Victim

What’s wrong with this Christmas list?

(Click on the link below to see the list)

http://www.imdb.com/list/Uqan8j7UpHQ/

I will tell you!

Besides the glaring fact that Sherlock Holmes is NOT a Christmas movie….(I am open on Die Hard though)

This list from IMD is a typical list of top Christmas movies, similar to any you may find. Other similar lists including “top grossing” Christmas movies, etc..

The word “wrong” may have been a feeble attempt to stir the pot a bit….

This list is certainly “telling” just how far culture and society has indeed moved away from the true meaning of Christmas. I have watched every one of these top 25 Christmas movies, and to my recollection only 3 of them state the actual meaning of Christmas, with The Nativity depicting the historical accuracy and significance of this most beloved holiday.

Santa Clause, of course, is the main character in the vast majority of these movies, with Jesus taking a back seat (with the exception of Little Drummer Boy, A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Nativity…and hey at least that movie made it to #7)

It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol at least get to the meaning of giving, love, faith and angels (in some regards)

In youth group this past week we discussed the question “Is Christmas still a Christian holiday”.  The majority of people who celebrate do not attend any church service or mass, nor participate in Advent or read the Biblical story.

Moreover, an increasing number of non-Christian countries are beginning to celebrate Christmas including Muslim and Hindu countries.  While I am in favor of that (in theory) I have been told from friends who live there that the commercial interests and American culture has infiltrated their countries, much to the display of the traditionalists.  Santa, Rudolf, colorful lights, trees, presents, and well…more gift giving has won the day and America is to thank.  But nowhere, literally nowhere in these cultures does the story of Jesus’ birth and theological impact of the incarnation ever make it into the celebration…thus proving (in some way) that Christmas is no longer a Christian holiday.

Perhaps this is good as the commercialism and consumerism of the holiday (as celebrated by Americans at least) has moved in stark contrast to the ideals of that first Christmas and Jesus’ message “It is better to give than to receive.”

Let me be honest for a moment.

I struggle with this because as my two boys grow up, there is a huge part of me that wants them to be just as excited with Santa, Rudolph, Frosty and opening shiny boxes on Christmas Day as I was.  I do not believe this is bad.

However, it is very easy to let our attention and affection gravitate solely towards those aspects rather than the simple, humble and profound message of God becoming one of us…”Immanuel”

A Thankful Heart

I am an American who loves to celebrate holidays.  It was not until I moved to France that I realized how much I appreciate a few specific celebrations.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that officially is not celebrated as a day off here in France.  In fact, on November 28 while Americans back in the U.S are gathering around tables with family and friends, the French will be working as normal.

Don’t feel too bad for them….they have plenty of days off and national holidays.

I grew up loving Thanksgiving for the traditions associated with it:

Annual cross-town rivalry football game

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (which I was fortunate to attend one year!)

A large family gathering and delicious home-made feast (which interestingly has been referred to as the one day a year Americans eat as well as the French!)

Watching American football on TV later in the evening with leftover turkey and pies

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

Traditions are nice and I do miss many of them while living overseas.

While at times it has been difficult, it has also provided an valuable lesson about the true meaning behind holidays…especially Thanksgiving.

At its core, Thanksgiving is about….well….being thankful!

Often this actually gets lost and confused in the scurry of activities, preparations and the food-induced comas resulting.

One tradition that has remained paramount for me is to share with family and friends each Thanksgiving just how truly grateful we are for the blessings we have.  Often while enjoying a meal together we take a moment to share why we are thankful this year.

When we actually pause from the frenetic and chaotic drone of busyness to reflect upon this, we realize  all the many reasons to be thankful.  Jobs, homes, health, food on the table, etc… Even at times when health has not been present, individuals feel blessed by the love, care and support of family and friends.  They are still thankful.

Of course we do know that many people in our world do not have what many of us do have.  Even blessings such as food or a home, that I often take for granted, are insurmountable goals for millions of displaced and disadvangted people.

I believe part of being Thankful for what we have is also to recognize that not everyone has those same reasons…but there is something WE can do to make a difference.

As we begin to use our lives, time, talent, and resources to help others, we learn to appreciate what we have even more.  Our thankful hearts grow bigger when we become thankful for opportunities to give back.

Even though Thanksgiving is an American holiday, may I suggest we practice a spirit of thankfullness each and every day?

Perhaps the next time you share a meal with loved ones or celebrate a beloved holiday in your culture, you may take a moment to go around the table and share the many reasons you have to be thankful.

For those Americans reading this, as we approach Thanksgiving the end of November, enjoy all of the fun traditions.  Eat well, watch and play football, decorate the house and attend a parade.  But remember to count your blessings, be thankful and look for ways in which you can give back so that others may be thankful as well.

The Road Not Taken

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been admiring the poetry of Robert Frost this month and reflect on what is considered by many one of his best poems.

 

I often wonder which path I would choose if presented with this scenario?

It is easy to choose to way trodden by the masses and sometimes it is the right way to go.  It is popular, predictable, and proven.  Usually it is rather safe as well.

 

The road less taken is permeating with the unknown and is unchartered.

I admire men and women of the faith who, throughout the centuries have chosen this road, must to the dismay of their contemporaries. Though culture and the Church continue to plow down the same road, they chose a different path, narrow at the time, that eventually widened and expanded the kingdom of God.

 

I confess that at times I too feel like that lone traveler along the path continuing on a trail as “way leads on to way”.  Will I have regret when the path ends and I look back on what could have been?

 

 Both paths may end up in the same destination, but as we know, the journey itself is paramount.

 

Could it be that God is equally present along both paths, but the experience of God may vary accordingly?

 

Do I trust in God enough to choose the road not taken?

 

Is my faith large enough to gaze beyond the visible and visualize things yet unseen?

 

After all, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”