Confession time: writing this week gave me trouble. I thought I had a jumping-off place, but it turned out to be more of a curb… not much depth or entertainment value. To the vault I went for something revivable from the past. For the longest time, I considered the post (The Stuff the Roads Wrap Around) my favorite piece ever written. I am still in love with the concept. I wrote most of these words in October of 2012 and reposted in February of 2015. My writing has definitely changed since then.
Reading it again, 10 years later, I realized something: I am living a season of off-roading. In so many ways, my comfort zone completely eludes me. My own theory proved true. Glory to God!
I live in a really great spot. It is both city and country at the same time. My house sits a few minutes from big civilization and a few minutes from really rural. I have the best of both worlds very nearby.
The country road a couple of blocks from my house serves as my walking path. Once, while out walking, I started paying closer attention to the area. I noticed all kinds of things that I missed before. As usual, my imagination spurred my thought process.
I think of where I live by the roads, not by what the roads wrap around. When I describe where I live, or direct someone there, I will tell you about the roads. Chances are I will not say turn when you see the sheep.
During my walk, I began to consider the people and the lives lived out in the middle of what the roads wrap around. I have always lived with a paved road out in front of my house. Not all people do. Our worlds begin at our front doors wherever we are on the globe. Given that all houses do not have a road in front of them, I would imagine the worlds of others look different from mine.
It occurred to me too that I don’t go off-road very much, literally or figuratively. I go to few places where solid concrete is not poured from A to B. Figuratively, I don’t either. I live a very generally A to B lifestyle. Rarely do I have an out-of-the-box, or outside my comfort zone experience. I certainly do not seek those out.
We are conditioned to not stray from the path. That may be one of the primary stealers of a life lived full of faith. Sticking to the roads we know provides what feels like safety. I do it. Every now and then, though, my eyes wander from the road. A big piece of me wants to go off-roading. I cannot help but wonder if the greatest things the Lord has in store for us are out in the places the road wraps around.