Day 4 When Way Closes

Summer 2015 Book Discussion

Parker Palmer—Let Your Life Speak

In chapter 3, When Way Closes, Palmer talks about the limits that we and society often place on ourselves as well as the God of reality who will keep us true to our natural being. Palmer also notes that way closing is not always a negative thing. 

“But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that’s had the same guiding effect.” (Page 38)

I underlined this sentence with emphasis as so often in life I find myself getting caught up in way closing. It takes much strength, prayer, and trust to know that often better things are to come. It’s situations like this where my faith truly shines as I enable God to fully direct me to my next adventure. Relationships, jobs, projects, all come to an end but at the end of the day my faith and family will remain strong as long as I place trust in them and their guidance. Faith is not meant to be an individual practice but that of a community, a community that will strengthen, guide, and encourage us through life’s ups and downs.

Learning our Limits…Limits often destract me, I feel as if there are there as a reference; a don’t go too far or you will face a consequence…like a speed limit, set to keep us safe, go too fast and we could receive a ticket or, worse, injure ourselves or others. Parker refers to limits as a way of knowing how far we will challenge ourselves, limits seem to be a guideline of our true strengths and abilities.

“God ask us only to honor our created nature, which means our limits, as well as our potentials. When we fail to do so, reality happens—God happens—and way closes behind us.” (page. 50)

“I Am who I Am.” “One Dwells with God by being faithful to one’s nature. One crosses God by trying to be something one is not.” (Page 51)

Both of the above excerpts sum up the chapter for me. God created each of us with our limits and our potentials, we are who we are and with God at the center of our lives we can dream and do almost anything our heart desires. We must, however, be comfortable with way closing and with natural limits while remaining open to guidance, strength and the God of reality; a God who speaks to our hearts and calls us back to the journey to our natural self.

Questions to reflect on:

1. Can you name a time when way closed in your life? How did that experience make you feel? Looking back can you see the guiding effect it had on your life?
2. Are you able to name limits and potentials in your life?