Beyond Roman Roads

I am studying the lives of Celtic saints and Celtic Christianity in general this summer. I find in them a rhythm and resonance that is innate in me and yet opposite of so much of what I've been taught in Christiandom.

I read the other day of how, in most places, in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the great roads of the Roman Empire never made headway. They paved the landscape throughout the known and civilized world. They allowed for efficient travel of people, merchandise and ideas. They linked countries together in certain commonalities. But there came an end to the roads...

The Celts were beyond the Roman roads. They were "uncivilized" and had no knowledge of the common story shared between cultures. They didn't have the book we call the Bible, but they had another "book" called creation. The efficiency of an empire broke down in these lands. The terrain was rough and harsh and had not been conquered. Those who loved God came here not to conquer but to set up communities, to befriend, to find the story of God in the story of the people, to tell those who loved creation that there is a Creator.

It reminded me of a new group of people I find myself interacting with more and more. They are beyond the roads of Christiandom; they live in lands not paved with our roads of efficiency nor do they know the common stories. They don't want to go to church or have someone lead them through whatever quick and efficient way we have of sharing the gospel. They are rough on the edges - skeptical and cynical. They readily embrace a spirituality but have no idea of the Spirit.

How do we find these people? I think we must be willing to go beyond roman roads and pave new territory into the hills, valleys, forests, urban hubs, cities and all places of habitation. We walk new paths with these new friends - telling them an old Story in a new context. We renounce our inclination toward efficiency and choose relationship instead.