“The Calf Path” – a poem for grooved people
One day through the Primal wood, a calf walked as good as calves should;
But made a trail all bent askew, a crooked trail, as calves all do.
Since then, three hundred years have fled and I infer the calf is dead.
But still he left behind his trail and thereby hangs my moral tail.
The trail was taken up next day by a lone dog that passed that way;
And then a wise bellwether sheep pursued the trail o’er vale and steep.
And drew the flock behind him, too, as good bellwethers always do.
From that day on, o’er hill and glade, through these old woods a path was made.
And many men wound in and out, and dodged and turned and bent about.
All uttered words of righteous wrath because twas such a crooked path.
But still they followed, the first migration of that calf.
This forest path became a lane, that bent and turned and turned again.
This crooked lane became a road, where many poor ‘orse with a load
Toiled on beneath the burning sun and traveled three miles for one.
And thus, a century and a half they trod the footsteps of that calf.,
The years passed on in swiftness fleet: the road became a village street
And soon the central street was this of a renowned metropolis.
Now two centuries and a half trod in the footsteps of this calf.
A hundred thousand men were led by one calf three centuries dead.
They follow in the beaten track, and out and in and forth and back.
And still their devious course pursue, to keep the path that others do.
They keep the path, a sacred groove, along which all their lives they move.
Get the point? Sometimes it’s good to stop and think through our routines and behaviors and ask ourselves the question; “is this the best road to get from point “A” to “B”? As one year concludes and another, Lord willing, is birthed, it is a time to evaluate our habitual “rut” behaviors. It takes real courage and discipline to stop doing harmful things and start out on a new, straighter, and narrower path. Spiritual ruts are more than just foolish—they are downright dangerous.
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:6
Anyway, that’s how I see it. – Pastor Pete