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| Walking the Jesus WayCheck out these photos! I snapped them both at Rolling Ridge, a United Methodist-owned retreat and conference center in Massachusetts.
When I walked this labyrinth, I had just listened to a paraphrase of one of Jesus' gospel invitations to follow him. Instead of, "my yoke is easy and my burden light," the paraphrase had offered, "I will teach you how to walk freely and lightly." I pondered that promise as I began to make my way along the spiral pathway. What I soon found is that out in the woods, surrounded by the dancing green leaves of the trees, it IS possible to walk "freely and lightly." The ground is literally spongy because it is composed of decaying leaves and rich soil, intertwined with roots of all sizes! For a moment or two, I had the brief sensation of jumping on a trampoline!
The two photos invite a variety of reflections. Some of us prefer a more "out in the wild" pathway, while others desire the carefully cultivated one. We don't always get to choose where our spiritual walk will take us. How do we respond to the situation and environment in which we find ourselves? What will help us to walk "freely and lightly" in light of the fact that we also may feel a responsibility or a calling? How can we remain open to the gifts of the moment, and also make a contribution so that future generations will find we have left them a peaceful and beautiful place in which to walk with God? Christians and churches everywhere, I suspect, are wrestling with these questions in one form or another. How wonderful it is to have companions with whom to share our insights, doubts, and experiences of the Spirit. How excellent to remember words of scripture which remind us that "even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for God is with me" (Psalm 23) and "God shows us the path of life; in God's presence there is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16). Here are some words of encouragement from 1 Kings 2:2-3: "Be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the Lord your God... walking in God's ways." Walking the Jesus Way together with you, Pastor April |
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The
first one (with the leaves and rocks all over the ground) is trying to
give a sense of the outdoor labyrinth at Rolling Ridge. A labyrinth is a
walking path designed to support prayer and meditation. Sometimes
labyrinths are imbedded in the floor of a church or cathedral. Some are
painted onto cement courtyards. Some are drawn onto canvas and are
therefore portable. This one is located in the woods, next to a lake
called "Great Pond." Stones and logs define the sides of the path. 
The other photo shows a manicured lawn designed to open a vista through the
forest. In the distance a lovely balustrade encircles a viewpoint overlooking
the lake. A fountain is meant to be sparkling in the sunlight, but alas: the
pipes have fallen into disrepair and the water is neither flowing nor splashing.
Rolling Ridge was originally (in the 1930's) an elegant estate. Now the church
is making good use of the buildings and grounds to nurture spiritual growth and
transformation, while struggling to pay for the upkeep of such an amazing and
historic facility.