Lately I’ve been reading The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry when I stumbled on the distinction that he makes between a path and a road.
He writes:
“The difference between a path and a road is not only the obvious one. A path is little more than a habit that comes with knowledge of a place. It is a sort of ritual of familiarity. As a form, it is a form of contact with a known landscape. It is not destructive. It is the perfect adaptation, through experience and familiarity, of movement to place; it obeys the natural contours; such obstacles as it meets it goes around.
A road, on the other hand, even the most primitive road, embodies a resistance against the landscape. Its reason is not simply the necessity for movement, but haste. Its wish is to avoid contact with the landscape; it seeks so far as possible to go over the country, rather than through it; its aspirations, as we see clearly in the example of our modern freeways, is to be a bridge; its tendency is to translate place into space in order to traverse it with the least effort. It is destructive, seeking to remove or destroy all obstacles in its way. The primitive road advanced by the destruction of the forest; modern roads advance by the destruction of topography” (p. 12).
When I read this, the Scripture that immediately came to mind is Matthew 7:13-14:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
When I’ve reflected on this passage, I’ve always thought about the two roads but if a narrow road is more like a path–then Berry’s words provoke me to think more deeply about Jesus’ teaching.
A narrow road or path is more intimate, more humble, more in contour with the landscape–the way and means with which God has called us to live. Following a narrow path calls us into the unknown, a sense of expectation and exploration, a need to pay attention and be mindful, a willingness to change direction and adapt.
A wide road requires none of these things. On a wide road we can venture forward relatively mindlessly and follow the masses. We travel faster, a mindless wake of pollution following us. On a road, we rarely look back. The isolation of the speed makes it easy for us to lose track of our values–what’s truly important, as well as our relationship with God and each other. We find ourselves more disconnected with each other and the land. Such a road can only lead to destruction.
Jesus, help me to rediscover the path and the intimacy with you naturally occurs when we choose to embrace the windier, quieter, more mysterious faith journey. Give me strength and wisdom to resist the wide road that seems faster and more efficient. May I choose to follow you today and every day. Amen.
I love Wendell Berry! Have you read “Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community?” It was written in 1991, but all the stuff he talks about is happening today!
What an awesome post and a really cool metaphor for our walk with God. I prefer a path to a road aesthetically, but I like to go fast to get somewhere. That’s the equivalent of, “It sounds lovely, but it’s just not practical.” Ugh.I hate to think of where that “practical,” fast road leads!
Wow. That’s fantastic. Thanks.
That reminds me of Proverbs 4. Particulary v.25-27 Important things to remember when walking on a Path; Keep you eyes straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you; make level paths; follow only on firm paths. And especially verse 27; do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. I envision if you are walking on a path the slightest swerve to the right or the left could be dangerous.
Margaret, I read your post and Berry’s words regarding the path and road made me pause and think. But one of the best parts of this particular post was your prayer at the end. Needed that and want to pray the same for myself.
Hello Margaret,
I find this really different from the regular teachings I read. I was reading through a book on investments and I found there is a difference between path and growth (my first time). In search of deeper meaning I found your blog. You explained this so well. Thank you for the clarity. I’d love to read more of your work.
Здесь вы найдете учреждение психологического здоровья, которая предлагает поддержку для людей, страдающих от депрессии и других ментальных расстройств. Эта эффективные методы для восстановления ментального здоровья. Наши специалисты готовы помочь вам преодолеть психологические барьеры и вернуться к гармонии. Опыт наших специалистов подтверждена множеством положительных рекомендаций. Запишитесь с нами уже сегодня, чтобы начать путь к восстановлению.
http://www.chelyabinskhockey.ru
alo789 dang nh?p: alo789in – alo789 dang nh?p
india pharmacy without prescription: order medicines online india – india online pharmacy store
mexican pharmacy online order mexican pharmacy online store mexican drug stores online
https://interpharmonline.com/# certified canadian pharmacy
mexican pharmacy online order: mexican pharmacy online – MexicanPharmInter
http://indiamedfast.com/# india pharmacy without prescription
canada pharmacy online highest rated canadian online pharmacy online canadian pharmacy
India Med Fast: india pharmacy without prescription – lowest prescription prices online india
https://indiamedfast.com/# buying prescription drugs from india
best canadian pharmacy: Inter Pharm Online – canadian pharmacy cheap
canadian pharmacy oxycodone canadian drugstore online no prescription canada online pharmacy
https://interpharmonline.shop/# legitimate canadian pharmacy online
reliable mexican pharmacies: Mexican Pharm Inter – buying from online mexican pharmacy
https://mexicanpharminter.shop/# mexican pharmacy online order
vipps approved canadian online pharmacy: Cheapest online pharmacy – canada rx pharmacy
ed drugs online from canada Cheapest online pharmacy prescription drugs canada buy online
http://indiamedfast.com/# cheapest online pharmacy india
canadian pharmacy near me
canadian pharmacy cheap: certified canada pharmacy online – canadian pharmacy online store
https://mexicanpharminter.shop/# mexican drug stores online
https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra pillen kopen
Tadalafil price: Tadalafil Easy Buy – cialis without a doctor prescription
viagra without prescription buy generic 100mg viagra online Generic100mgEasy
http://tadalafileasybuy.com/# cialis without a doctor prescription
Cheap generic Viagra online: buy generic 100mg viagra online – Generic100mgEasy
https://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic 100mg Easy
cialis without a doctor prescription: cialis without a doctor prescription – cialis for sale
Generic Cialis price cialis without a doctor prescription Buy Tadalafil 20mg
https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra gel kopen
https://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Cialis 20mg price in USA
Sildenafil 100mg price: buy generic 100mg viagra online – Cheap Viagra 100mg
https://generic100mgeasy.com/# Generic100mgEasy
kamagra kopen nederland kamagra 100mg kopen Officiele Kamagra van Nederland
kamagra 100mg kopen: Kamagra Kopen – Officiele Kamagra van Nederland
Generic100mgEasy: buy generic 100mg viagra online – buy generic 100mg viagra online
http://tadalafileasybuy.com/# cialis without a doctor prescription
Generic 100mg Easy Generic100mgEasy Generic100mgEasy
TadalafilEasyBuy.com: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – Tadalafil Easy Buy
TadalafilEasyBuy.com: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – TadalafilEasyBuy.com
https://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra 100mg kopen
TadalafilEasyBuy.com: Tadalafil Easy Buy – cialis without a doctor prescription
Kamagra kamagra pillen kopen Kamagra Kopen
https://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# cialis without a doctor prescription