21 February 2020

Natural versus Narrow ~ Mirkwood


Greetings Dear Reader,

In The Hobbit, Gandalf very clearly warns the Dwarves and Bilbo that they should not stray from the path whilst passing through Mirkwood.  His warning is serious and stern.  Our troop of heroes, of course, do not listen.

They talk themselves into running off the path through failing to believe Gandalf that the pass will see them through the forest.  They then add departure from the narrow path to their unbelief. They become trapped by giant spiders and captured by Elves. 

In this case, that departure does not lead to a broader way.  It leads to deeper darkness and further delay toward their goal.  Too often I have known the path to take and have chosen something that I knew would not lead me home.  Unlike our treasure seekers, the path can be found again easily.

When we leave the path of faith and following, returning to it is as easy as choosing to do so.  The difficulty is that this does not immediately mitigate the damage done whilst we were on some other false path.  Forgiveness by the Father and restoration to his path are instant.  The damage we have done to others in our poor choices does not simply disappear.  All of our choices to pursue darker paths damage others. 

Part of regaining our footing on the journey home is seeking reconciliation with those we wrong whilst we pursue our own darkness.  It is not necessary for us to seek the Father again.  It is vital to us doing so with a clear vision and clean hearts. 

The need, Dear Reader, is to step out of whatever darkness we have created for ourselves.  I have had to face things long avoided once I did.  I have had to confront all of my failures and seek out those harmed by them.  I find the path by loving those I seek no matter their reaction to my recognition of my failure.

Some have been loving and gracious.  Others have rejected me further.  My response must be to love them all as deeply as I am able.  My obligation is to leave the door unfettered from my side and allow for them to find the path that is intended for their journey.  My desire to control situations and force outcomes is part of that darker path that I can no longer travel.

What I do see is that it does not matter where you are.  You can return to the path and find your way home from wherever you are.  Our obligation when you do is to love, forgive, and encourage you along the journey.  In doing this, we may find that we travel better together than we ever did. 

Come as You Are – Crowder

Come out of sadness
From wherever you've been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are

There's hope for the hopeless
And all those who've strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There's rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't cure

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far
Lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in his arms
Come as you are

There's joy for the morning
Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can't heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You're not too far

So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Come as you are
Come as you are

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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