A path less travelled…

I recall many years ago receiving advice from a friend.  We were bushwalking through the Royal National Park, south of Sydney.  Heavily laden with backpacks filled with tents, sleeping bags, food, cooking utensils, and anything else we needed to enjoy a few days camping in the beauty of nature.

The advice was, “You should turn around and look at the path behind you, so you will recognise it on the return journey.”  Seemed like reasonable advice.  Except the idea of walking backwards along a windy path along a cliff top felt a little treacherous.

It reminds me a little of advice Jesus gave folk taking the life journey: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  In modern language the word “repent” might be better said, “Head a different direction.”  This journey of life clearly has too many dangers, toils and snares.  I suspect walking backwards is not going to make things easier.

But if Jesus meant, “Head a different direction” to take a path less travelled, it might be more reasonable.  Particularly if the alternate path was not only safer, but filled with unimaginable joys and wonders.  This is Jesus’ desire for us.  Could be worth considering?