I am a peace pathfinder

but I don't (can't) tell anyone to follow me because those that are hurting can't hear my boast,

"I know the way to peace, follow me".

and those who are not hurting don't care to hear me plead,

"Oh, your heart would rejoice to lead some hurting soul to peace, let me share with you the way!".

the way is narrow and few find it

I am a peace pathfinder

my words burn within me but I must constrain my mouth

I am a hunter

the troubled are my prey

I seek out burdened souls, I stalk them in silence

at first I seek to lure them by listening, comforting,

(the bold truth is I would do ANYTHING

for a person to get this message: where to find peace;

because I am a peace pathfinder)

I listen intently to sorrows and complaints,

for this is their first clue that I might be a peace pathfinder

after a bit I share a little of my failings, a little of my story

It makes their heart sense (I hope, and I've seen) that....

I know how they feel

and they may begin to hope

and their ears may begin to be able to hear my desperate words of direction

Ah, but carefully here, not to many words

mostly listening, comforting, praying in my heart for wisdom, for annointing

(Dear God, please protect others from my well meaning but empty unhelpful advice)

like water to a man near dying of thirst,

the stronger one holding the canteen enforces discipline on his weaker friend,

"Not all at once", he tells him as he withdraws the canteen after a few gulps, "slowly, or it will make you sick".

I am a peace pathfinder

but I convince others of my trade

by showing just a bit of the path ahead

just a little bit, drawing them along, like leaving crumbs to lure a bird

I am a peace pathfinder

the truth is there is the best peace

and there is a lesser peace

the lessor peace is better than nothing but it gives me little satisfaction

the purpose of the lessor peace is a lure to win a soul to the greater peace

oh, how I wish I could convince people I am a peace pathfinder

it is so difficult

when I want to count how many times I clean up the kitchen

I want to count how many times I do it so I can say

"I do it most, you should do more"

I want to count how many favors I give

so I can put them in my bank and redeem them later

but this is not the way of a peace pathfinder

if I am to learn my trade

it is to learn to die

to die to caring how many favors are unreturned

to die to caring if people appreciate it when I am their peace pathfinder

to die to caring if when people find peace I get credit for it

the one goal

the one boast

I am nothing and count for nothing

I have peace when criticised, when taken advantage of, when plundered, when betrayed

I mean real peace, unshakable peace

for I am a peace finder

and to be a peace finder

is to be a peace pathfinder

07/07/2003

Author's Note: I am heavy into the Christian thing, but a person does not need to be a Christian or want to be a Christian for me to be a peace pathfinder for them. But, alas, it is only the lessor peace. But a lessor peace is a wonderful peace to one seeking peace. If you lack peace I'd love to hear your story. I want to demonstrate that, I really do care. God cares about you and wants to be real in your life. Part of God being real in my life is enabling me and annointing me to be a peace pathfinder.

Posted on 07/07/2003
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