Dear Friends in Christ,
Have you ever read or heard of psychiatrist Scott Peck’s landmark book entitled The Road Less Traveled? It’s a classic self-help book that explores the theme of spiritual growth through confronting and working on our life’s problems.
Peck begins his book with this stunning – obvious, but challenging – three-word sentence: “Life is difficult.” Then, he elaborates on this statement and offers a preview of his conclusion in this follow-up sentence in which he writes: “Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult.”
It’s his way of suggesting that understanding, acceptance of difficult realities, and working our way through these go a long way to bringing peace for ourselves – and others in our world.
Peck’s work reminds me of one of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel of Matthew. In his 7th chapter, Matthew writes of Jesus’ telling his followers to “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. And, the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (verses 13-14).
This teaching will be one we consider in worship this upcoming Sunday when we explore the stewardship of Biblical wisdom – which is often different than human wisdom or common sense. I hope you’ll join us in person or by “tuning in.” But, if you can’t, Scott Peck’s work, The Road Less Traveled, would make for a good summer read!
Blessing of Journey Along “Roads Less Taken”,
Pastor Ed