We have some incredible state parks here in Indiana. One wouldn’t think that the plains of Indiana would provide rugged trails, deep ravines, and incredible overlooks, but they do. Much the opposite of the mountains of West Virginia, our topography drops down into the ground rather than rising out of it. It provides quite the playground for weekend adventurers. My family and I visited two of these state parks during the recent fall break for Seymour Community Schools. We spent one day walking the trails at Turkey Run and a second on the trails at Shades.
As you walk the trail, you can clearly see where people have walked countless times before.
The scenery was as awe-inspiring as one walks the creek beds below or on the ledges above and the leaves provide an amazing array of color at this time of year. Of equal interest, however, are the trails beneath one’s feet. As you walk the trail, you can clearly see where people have walked countless times before. There are portions of the trail where so many people have walked for so many years that they have worn actual stair-steps into the rocks as the trail rises and falls and where narrow, rugged paths have been worn into the ledges of the cliffs. It provides you with a clear picture of where people have walked before and where you are meant to walk as well.
Marring the beauty of the trails were periodic man-made barriers. Emblazoned on them, in bold, yellow letters, were the words, “HIKERS PROHIBITED BEYOND THIS POINT.” Just beyond the signs, there were often wide, well-worn paths. It was abundantly clear that many had walked that way before. In fact, the paths beyond the warning signs were often wider, more obvious, and easier to traverse than the intended trail. I cannot lie, every time I saw one of those signs, there was something deep down inside of me that wanted to jump the barrier and see what adventures awaited. I didn’t, but I watched as many others did, and I very much wanted to join them.
We stopped at one barrier and surveyed the trail that had been blazed by those who walked where one should not. It looked like a fun, easy trail that resulted in a much better view of an incredible waterfall adjacent to the trail. As we followed the trail with our eyes, we noticed an issue. The trail suddenly disappeared. The rock surface where the numerous rebel hikers had trod now rested a hundred feet below. I couldn’t help but wonder if people had been crossing that spot when it gave way. If so, it more than likely did not end well.
Just because everybody is doing it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Adults say this to children all the time, but all-too-often, we fail to heed our own instruction.
Standing there, looking at the scene before (and below) me, I couldn’t help but think of the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 7. It reads, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” It’s a good and necessary reminder that the popularity of a particular plan of action and the number of people participating in it does not determine the wisdom of said action. To put it another way, just because everybody is doing it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Adults say this to children all the time, but all-too-often, we fail to heed our own instruction.
The world is an amazing place. It is full of adventure, beauty, life, and excitement; but, it also has its dangers. The cultural currents that constantly swirl around us provide various “pathways” for us to choose from. We need to carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully consider where these pathways will take us, as individuals, institutions, and as a nation. I don’t believe there are any easy answers. I do, however, believe that there are resources that provide us with perspectives that can help inform our decisions. There are men and women who have walked this way before us, wearing a well-worn trail for us to follow. I also believe the Bible provides us with a map that provides insight to help us discern the direction we should go and the paths we should (and shouldn’t) take. It’s up to each of us to read the signs and decide which way we should go. Once we find it, though, we should stay on the path.
