MacroMoments: Trailblazing 101

Remember the first trail you ever followed? Where did it lead?

Mine was a soft, sandy path leading up a "mountain" behind my house. I was four years old, and my two older brothers and I packed a sack lunch, kissed Mama goodbye, and told her we’d be back before nightfall. She knew we’d be gone an hour, but she didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for adventure. We spotted her at the back door watching us weave up the trail to our getaway. I blew her a kiss and she blew one back.

The three of us trudged up the winding path until we reached a familiar ledge that fit our jeaned legs just right. From that secret lookout far above our backyard, we munched peanut butter sandwiches and fresh peaches. We chattered about what we'd do if we could stay up there forever. Every now and then we'd wave to Mama, who was hanging wet clothes on the line. I suspect she was milling around the yard just to keep an eye on her young adventurers.

Many years later, I was surprised to discover that the trail up that hill was not steep at all. It didn't take as long as I’d imagined to reach the top, either. The time between goodbye kisses and peanut butter sandwiches couldn’t have taken more than five minutes, but to three adventure-bent kids, it was an escape from the ordinary. We were Livingston and company trekking through the jungle. We were pioneers blazing a trail for others to follow.

Children around the world are trailblazing this very minute. They’re clearing paths that will affect who they’ll choose as friends; what they’ll believe about God; and how they’ll handle challenges and problems. They’re vulnerable adventurers, taking their queues from the adults in their lives.

I watched a little girl trailing her mom along a smooth sidewalk one afternoon. It was the time of day when their own shadows stretched out beside them like skinny tree trunks. Every few steps, the girl would call out, “Look, Mom! I’m as tall as you!”

Lost in thought, her mother would grunt a half-answer. She didn’t seem to notice when her daughter hopped a small stone fence and clamored up the side of a small hill adjacent to the street. The girl followed her own hilltop trail to the end of the block. All she wanted was for Mom to admire the trail she was conquering.

I’ve followed countless trails in my life and blazed a few new trails myself. So have you. I’ve taken wrong turns and had to choose to continue or turn back. That’s the thing about a good trail; each is a teacher, instilling lessons such as:

Don’t be afraid to take risks.
Listen to those who have traveled that way before.
Pace yourself.
Give thanks for new vistas.
Leave footprints for others to follow.

God offers the best advice of all for trailblazers: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” --Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)