the path less traveled

The Other Side of the Hedge definitely got me thinking. Initially, I was paralleling the road with the Christian walk, but as I continued to read my perception of the allegory changed a bit. I’m still not sure to what Forster was referring, but I think there could be Christian parallels. The journey along the road is what so many do in this world. It’s a constant race, trying to outdistance others and reach the end. No one really knows what is at the end; they just use elusive concepts to describe it: fame, fortune, achievement, success. What is this, really? They do not know, no one does, because those who are said to have reached these things are still unhappy. They continue to run along the road, looking for more, or for happiness, or for love and acceptance. Then, one tires of the endlessness of the road, and wishes to know if there is another way? They go through the hedge, and find…Jesus? I could be stretching this allegory too far or taking it the wrong way, but just bear with me. Say one goes through the briars of the hedge and the cleansing water that washes off the dirt from the road. On the other side waits Jesus to show them this different way of life. The place doesn’t lead to anywhere, because the traveler is already one with God. No more striving needed. When walking the path, the man keeps trying to outdistance his companion, as we so often do with Jesus. We are impatient and eager to get somewhere else, so we try to run ahead of Him, when He wants to lead us by quiet waters, let us rest in green pastures, and guide us in the path of righteousness. (Psalm 23) We can’t see the end of the path; we don’t even know where we are going. But we have a guide beside us, one who can give us peace, who just wants us to trust Him. Of course, the Christian life isn’t all daisies and roses, but I think that’s why the running man and the man with the scythe are included. There is purpose in walking with God, but it’s not the American dream for which the rest of the world is striving. We can’t compare our progress with that of other Christians, because God is personal, and each person is at a different place in their relationship with Him. “It is my great happiness to help someone out of the moat, as I helped you. For our country fills up slowly, though it was meant for all mankind.” God desires all mankind to come to know and walk with him, but not all choose to see what’s on the “other side of the hedge.” It's definitely the path less traveled.
p.s. Rachel’s Blah Blah -Authentic Self