For a score of months, I have repeatedly turned to a photograph of a Rocky Mountain scene: a mountain vista in the foreground; a luxuriant green mountain valley in the distance; and beyond the valley, higher, snow capped peaks. And yet, well beyond the valley and the snow capped peaks, amid a translucent haze, lies another range of mountains.
When I first viewed this scene, I wished and prayed that my life’s path would provide such a vista, instead of a helter-skelter path, that wound around great trees, over protruding rocks, and through thick underbrush. At those moments, to be able to glimpse a greater view, even if only partial, would have provided me sufficient consolation and encouragement. Or, in terms of my life, at those moments I knew that Malawi and the care of pastors figured significantly in my life, but still I could see little. All I knew to do was to follow the path.
However, eventually this path paralleled a small, craggy ravine, which provided greater moments of sunlight and fresh air; but as I trekked, always ascending, the ravine began to drop precipitously even as it became wider. I knew that, if this ravine did not become a valley, it promised access to a valley – and if a valley, then my present path would most likely grant the vista I desired. Thus, these “ravine moments” reflected my helping to form a small pastors’ group, as well as my commitment to receive training as a spiritual director. Moreover, throughout these moments, I continued to write and edit working resources for John’s and Mark’s Gospels, even as our commitment to Zionsville Presbyterian Church increased: providing encouragement and help within that community however and whenever I could.
Ah, but the moment has come, when the longed-for vista has been attained: a great, inviting valley stretches before me, its floor perhaps two thousand feet below me. With clarity I can see my most immediate destination, even if the path down is not clear. Caring for pastors, spiritual direction, and Malawi (and most likely Romania and may be Uganda) constitute that destination, as well as the writing, which will aid ministry in those locales. I can see the destination, but now, how to descend to the valley floor – which direction to take, becomes the looming question. Shall I turn to the right, to the left, or might there be a path just over the crest upon which I stand?
With clarity faith-choices still remain.
Believing,
Stan