Do we know the way?

Today, I get in a taxi to come to work.  I tell the driver where I want to go and he gives a confident assurance that he knows exactly where it is.  Well, we only go some 100 metres for me to realise that this guy has no idea.  From there, I had to counsel him and direct him all the way.  This is not the first such occasion where the driver assures me he knows exactly where to go, while he just has no idea at all.  

We can so easily fool ourselves with a false sense of self-assurance, for the sake of looking good or getting the job done.  I am often struck by how we can happily be self-contained within our foolish, comfort bubbles, built upon foundations of fear, isolation and arrogance.  

In my apartment building, I have a neighbour who consistently seems to hide from me.  Whenever our paths may cross, he so obviously avoids me.  His behaviour intrigues me.  I recently, simply cried out to him, as he raced to his door - "Hi!"  His response was to quickly retreat from me. What is this all about?  

Such daily occurrences make me reflect on how disconnected we can be.  In such a 'bubbled world', how do we hope to build up relationships, let alone become acquainted and comfortable with the deeper realities of life that make us fully human?  How will we ever get in touch with our true, shared humanity?  Or do we just wish to maintain our individual, power stance, protecting our self-interests? 

Life is about so much more.  Don't we realise that the sacred is at the core of who we are?  We are worth so much.  Our relationships could run deep, offering satisfaction to our human search for true and fulfilling life.  In puirsuit of this quest, our creator puts us in touch with the transcendent.  As Erik Varden expresses it, "Faith enables us to interpret known experience in a supernatural light, making us at once more realisitic and more enlightened, in other words, more human".    

God shows us the way.  We just exit our bubble, letting go of our need to please and control. Unburden ourselves from what burdens us and be free to venture being fully human.  The way can be frightening.