Enjoy the Journey!

In my post last week, Serving God, I shared some thoughts about my recent meditation experience in which I received a very clear message – You are here to serve God – and what I have discerned about what that means. I am certainly not claiming to have a clearly defined path that will direct me in that way. I trust that it will continue to reveal itself moment-by-moment as I am open to it.

Even though there is an aspect of me that would welcome the comfort and assurance that might come from having a map to follow, I trust that serving God is a step-by-step process. It happens one thought, word, action and choice at a time.

As I write this I am reminded of an experience I had many years ago when a group from my spiritual community at The Center for Life Enrichment in Dallas spent some time at the Bodhi Manda Zen Center in Jemez Sprigs, NM. The center’s property borders the Jemez River. During one of our leisure times, a group of us decided to take a walk upstream in the river to a small waterfall. The river flows gently there and is no more than waist-deep in most areas, so it was not a dangerous undertaking.

Upon entering the river, I quickly discovered that even though it was not deep, it was at times impossible to see the rocky riverbed. The first few steps resulted in falls either due to losing my footing on the rocks or stepping into a hole. It became clear that navigating this trek up the river would require patience and perseverance.

I learned to take each step deliberately. This did not prevent me from falling into the water a few more times, but each time I got up, took time to regain my balance and secure my footing before taking the next step. It turned out to be a fun adventure. We made it to the waterfall and enjoyed playing in and under it.

Life is like that walk in the river. Each step offers us opportunities to move forward into the unknown as we traverse this path. Even though we may experience a fall or two (or more), we can choose to get back up, regain our balance, find our center, and take the next step. We may not be able to see where the next step will take us, but we can trust that we will be supported with every step we take. And, we can choose to enjoy the journey.

As author and mythologist Joseph Campbell said,

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.”

This is how I am choosing to approach the unfolding of the revelation that I am here to serve God. I am taking it one step at a time (actually, one breath at a time). There is no prescribed path. No one has a map. Even if they did it would be futile to attempt to follow it.

I encourage us all to approach life as a fun adventure. Take time every day to consciously connect with the God of our being through contemplation, prayer and meditation. Surrender to the leading of the inner Knower. Trust the still, small voice within that is constantly and consistently guiding us to the unfolding of our highest and best, even when it may not appear so. Practice nonresistance and allow everything to be just as it is, knowing that God is in it all. Rest in the assurance that we don’t have to work so hard. As the master Jesus said, “It is not I, but the [Light/Life/Love] within that is doing the work” (John 14:10).

We simply get to follow along in joyous anticipation of what the next step will bring. Enjoy the journey!