This is a picture of part of the Petroglyph Trail at Mesa Verde National Park. Looks like a rock face, right? Well it is as well as part of the trail. I learned a new question when I reached this spot.
You may know that I am not a fan heights. I am especially concerned about being on the edge of cliffs etc. We really wanted to see the Petroglyphs and so took this trail around the mesa. Roughly half way around we saw the petroglyphs. And then we continued on the trail. A few steps from the rock art we came upon this part of the trail. This picture is looking down on a six or seven-foot tall boulder that we had to climb in order to go forward. What is does not show is the 500 or so foot drop below this part of the trail that is a mere 2-3 feet away. Staring into the abyss below and the trail above, I encountered a “why” in the road. “Why am I walking this trail?”
One of the things that I have learned over the years about faith development is that whenever we ask a “Why” question we are entering the realm of faith. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is the sky blue? Why should I love my neighbor? We can ask the “How” question and look for a scientific answer. But the “Why” causes us to look into ourselves and examine our values, beliefs, and commitments. In other words, our faith.
Do I value walking this trail? Do I believe that this trail is worth the risk and investment? Am I really committed to completing this trail? These are the questions that help us deal with the “Why” in our road.
When we encounter resistance to the road ahead we can either turn around and return to the known path or we can face the resistance and move forward. Sometimes our faith will say “Turn around.” Other times it will give us the strength we need to move ahead and face the challenges that stand in our way. What is important is that we be honest with ourselves about the response we have chosen.
If we turn back without listening to our faith, we will experience regret. If we examine our faith and choose to turn back we will have learned where we need to grow in our faith journey.
If our faith tells us to move forward, we will feel it grow as we meet the challenge. And, if our faith tells us to move forward and we fail to get past the challenge, we will have learned something about where we need to expand our understanding of “how” to deal with challenges such as these.
Marlene and I talked about our “Why” on that cliff and decided that we had already seen the trail back and wanted to explore the way ahead. The trail was important to us. Yes, the footholds and handholds in the rock were intimidating along with the sheer drop on the trail, but we figured that together we could make it. We were committed to it and to one another. And so one by one we climbed the rock. I was able to climb my terror of heights with my life partner’s encouragement. I learned some good stuff that day. It turns out, my faith allowed me to climb much higher than I believed possible.
I hope that when you encounter a “Why” in the road, you will ask yourselves the faith questions. Do I value this journey? Do I believe that this journey is worth the risk and investment? Am I really committed to completing this journey? And, by relying on those around you, I pray that you will grow through that “Why” and experience the whisper of the Spirit. As you continue your journey.
Blessings,
Bob