Spiritual Pathways

SAT., OCT. 16, 1982, 5:58 AM
FARM, STUDY

This next week the Wellness Center will offer an evening meeting concerned with spiritual pathways, and I do want you there. So in preparation for such an evening hear, o son, some words on this theme.

Each human in the earth is on a spiritual path, which in some ways is common with other persons and in some ways is wholly individual. That is, all Roman Catholics have some experiences that are like those of others of that faith. At the same time, each Roman Catholic experiences the faith in way that is, finally, unique. You and Lenore went together on a trip to Hawaii. Though you can remember certain common happenings you each experienced the trip differently. So it is with the spiritual “trip” each is on.

You are surprised that each of your older three sons are in or are moving toward churches that are orthodox and strong on liturgy and ceremony and tradition. Each of their paths is different from one another, and all are different from yours. Yet you all acknowledge Me as Lord and Master, and you each are moving along a spiritual path. That, too, may be surprising… but it is a pleasant sort of surprise.

Certainly within this diverse student body there is a vast variety of spiritual pathways, and this meeting shall be an opportunity for a few to share stories with one another. Some may want to bring others to their particular pathway, and this is legitimate for some. Some are definitely called to be evangelists… to urge some who are on another path to join them… to rescue some whose path seems to lead away from Me. I love evangelists for Me, and yet I know they can be irksome for those who have another path, but are not very upward in their movement. They seem to want to be where they are and do not like the urging that is inherent in the evangelist.

You, who are not much of an evangelist, would back off in deference to a person’s freedom and right to be on (their)… his or her… own path. The true evangelist would take the chance that the person does not really want to be where he seems to be, and urges him to a better and higher way. Some resist. Some come reluctantly. Some come gladly, happy that all are not reluctant to run that risk and present an invitation.

Having said this, I still shall recommend that the best way to interact spiritually is still that of just telling and hearing one another’s stories. Personalize the presentation. Resist the admonition that “This is the truth”. Instead, let it be “This is what has happened to Me… this is what the Lord has done in my life.” Let any “better way” just be apparent and appealing rather than preceding and surrounding such a story with the assurance that it is the way. Guilt about one’s own way can be a motivation for change, but it is usually not as positive and effective a motivation as just the recognition of a superior pathway.