The Two Ways Through Life

The 2011 film, Tree of Life opens with a one of my favorite dialogs. Here it is:

Brother.

Mother.

It was they who led me to Your door.

The nuns taught us there are two ways through life. The way of nature and the way of grace.

You have to choose which one to follow.

Grace doesn’t try to please itself. Accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries.

Nature only wants to please itself. Get others to please it too. Likes to lord it over them. To have its own way. It finds reasons to be unhappy. When all the world is shinning around it. And love is smiling through things.

They taught us that no one who loves the way of grace ever comes to a bad end.

I will be true to You.

Whatever comes.

On numerous occasions, I have encountered these 122 words, seeking wisdom, only to discover that they align with my thoughts, words, and actions in “The Way of Nature.”

In response, I have made adjustments to align my actions with “The Way of Grace.”

For some people, spirituality suits their character; for me it tames my character.

Initially, the adjustments can be quite challenging.

However, they eventually become effective.

Furthermore, they become increasingly difficult.

Nevertheless, I can assure you that The Way of Nature is even more arduous, challenging, and profoundly difficult.

Approximately two millennia ago, if you sought guidance on living according to The Way of Grace, you would have consulted the Didache. (The spelling can vary slightly, but it is pronounced “DID-ah-kee” or “DID-ah-kay.”) The Didache held immense esteem among early Christian authors and theologians, and it was included in the biblical canon until 692 AD. Even today, adherents of Jesus of any denomination can derive valuable insights and practical advice from this booklet.

The Way of Nature or The Way of Grace:

With every thought, word, or action we choose one or the other..