I took a walk in the woods
yesterday to clear my head. I often do that. Just walk along the trails in the
woods on my property and listen to the silence. And before too long that
silence is broken. But not with the sounds of people and cars and things, but
with the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. The buzz of bees and flies and other
insects flying around my head. The chirping of the crickets in the tall grass.
The birds singing in the trees. The wind rustling the leaves. That is the kind
of silence I like best. It’s natures silence.
And as I walk I begin to notice
things. Things I wouldn’t have noticed before in the midst of people and noise.
Too many distractions. I hear a rustling by me feet and look down to find a
tiny snake slither across the path. I smiled as I watched him disappear among
the raspberry bushes. One of Gods most interesting of creatures. It is amazing
how a snake can move without legs. He is perfectly and uniquely created so he
can fulfill his purpose in life. No one else’s, just his. Then there are the
butterflies flying from one spot in the sea of golden rod to another. Once
caterpillars, now butterflies. One of the most amazing transformations in all
of God’s creation. A row of ants march across the grass, all knowing exactly
where they need to go. How can they know? Every one of God’s creations have a
purpose. Every single one. Every animal, every plant, and every person. So then
why do I find myself wondering if I have a purpose? What is my purpose? When
will I know what it is?
A little yellow butterfly flits about
my feet. Seemingly without direction. Lost. I feel a bit like that butterfly as
I try to find my way in this life. Just flying around trying to decide where to
go. So many choices. So many flowers to choose from. Afraid I won’t pick the
right one. Afraid I will go the wrong way. Afraid...
I watch the shadows in the forest.
Beyond the well-marked path. They begin to frighten me. My heartbeat quickens.
Fear of the unknown. Fear of what lies beyond the path that is laid out before
me. The path I know is safe and leads straight back home. But if we stay on the
same path all our lives for fear of getting lost, then where will we ever go?
We will never travel beyond our childhood home. Never explore new things that
go beyond that safe path. You must learn to see the beauty in the shadows
rather than be afraid of what may lay beyond them. The best adventures hide
beyond the shadows. Sometimes we need to take the path into the woods. Not the
one that's well mowed and traveled many times before. The new one. One that you
make yourself. One meant only for you. And there is where you will find your
purpose. That is where I will find my purpose.
Just like the snake and the
butterfly and the ants, God has made me with a purpose in mind. He has made
each and every one of us with a specific purpose in mind. But if we never stray
from the safe path we were on as children, all nicely mowed and with clear
boundaries, then how will we ever find that purpose? Eventually we have to
decide we don’t have to be afraid of the shadows and what may lay beyond them.
Eventually we need to learn that our purpose lays beyond the well-marked path.
Go beyond the well-marked path.
That is what I am about to do. I am about to embark on an adventure that will
help me find that purpose. Hopefully I will come back with some answers. And
hopefully I will come back with some more inspiration for more posts! If you
have any stories about when you made the decision to go out on your own and
find your purpose I would love to hear them!
