by Pastor Douglas Brauner

The Beauty of Following the Way

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“STOP! THIS IS NOT A TRAIL! When you choose to go off trail you cause damage to fragile open space vegetation and create erosion problems.”

This sign is posted on a trail that I had hiked a few times in one of my favorite parks. Because of the years of people hiking this trail, erosion has become a problem. I was saddened to see this sign, but understood why this trail was closed.

As a photographer I’m often tempted to go off trail to get that perfect shot. I can rationalize why it’s okay for me to wander off trail. I can be careful where I step, however, every time I go off trail I run the risk of doing damage to the vegetation that draws me to the park in the first place.

“Jesus said to [Thomas], ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
John 14:6 English Standard Version

There are many trails in the world today, trails that call out for us to follow them. The way of addiction. The way of recreation. The way of self discovery. There might not be anything intrinsically wrong with some of these paths, but they will not lead us to the heart of God.

In fact, walking these other paths may cause damage to our relationship with God and others. We need to be watchful of where we walk.

Staying on the path that is Jesus Christ is not just about being careful of doing damage to our lives, it’s also about experiencing peace in the struggles of our daily walk. This sign in Sondermann Park reminds us of the damage we do when we go off path, but what we forget is the beauty that will be experienced when the vegetation returns to the damaged ground.

Being in Christ is about life, experiencing life to the fullest. It’s about peace, joy, and contentment. It’s about forgiveness. There is beauty in following Jesus, the Way.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado