“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of the labyrinth, in the easiest manner possible. The knot which you thought a Gordian one will untie itself before you.” – Thomas Jefferson
Of all the things that turn men’s hearts from love and minds from truth, justice and plain dealing, there is none greater than the fear of their inability to lead one out of the labyrinth. This fear leads men to seek in vain desperation for an easier, more certain way, but sadly, the greater part of recorded human history gives abundant evidence that none exists.
If the wages of sin is death, the wages of righteousness is abundant, invigorating and fulfilling life.
Gregory Hake 
There is a strong element of faith required to cut that seemingly untie-able knot. There will be times where you feel that the labyrinth is unsolvable, but leaving righteousness for what seems like an easy way out is actually the only sure way to demise. It is only through right action that any hope exists, and you must have faith in that to take you through spots where vision is limited.
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To continue the gardening analogy, I have found that when the ground is well prepared (with love and righteousness) it is infinitely easier for those who follow to be successful with their planting and reaping. Jefferson I am sure would delight in the fact that the heirloom seeds he planted, with your and my watering Gregg, increasingly bloom in the hearts and minds of men. We are both the thrillers and reapers, and the abundance with which we have been blessed denotes the nature of our creator. Awesome post Gregg, thank you.
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This comes in perfect timing after a lively conversation with folks I work with. We were discussing the present moment and how our current circumstances were a direct result of every large and mostly small choice we have made leading up to that point. Recognizing personal responsibility for our harvests and seeing the importance hidden in small day to day choices made. I have had the battles personally, relative to trust as it relates to truth, love and righteousness, often overriding my heart and making choices out of that fear. Indeed it just takes you further away and deeper into the labyrinth. I have learned and am trying to instill daily in my self as well as my child, the value of being alert to this in every moment and learning to choose to do the right thing, in spite of how I feel, simply because it’s the right thing to do. This does require trust, that ultimately you will always find your way when righteousness , love and truth are the signs you follow while finding your way out of the labyrinth.
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To acknowledge where assurance is derived as we navigate the seeming twists and turns of living here and now on earth is an eternal ever present sacred gift. Thank you for your words.
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Just as the Gordian knot is severed by the sword, the labyrinth is demystified by elevation. Things just look different from a higher perspective. Anyone that followed your suggestion about the release of blessing from yesterday’s post could attest to that!
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To follow the advice of Jefferson is what makes righteous living possible. It’s a good question to ask ourselves each day… what do we follow? The “mysteries of life”, the Gordion knot, will cease to be so unknown or unreachable when we live this way.
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Wonderful quote and post. One thing I remind my self every morning is that I can only live in this moment; the past and future are not available for any action but I can prepare for the future. I can till the soil of my heart with love, plant the seeds of righteousness with radiant blessing, free of judgement and water abundantly with orienting consistently with the truth I do understand, forgiveness and appreciation. I think Mr. Jefferson would appreciate my gardening analogy!
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I know from teaching history that unless there is this higher perspective it does feel exactly like sloshing through an unending labyrinth, with little hope that any of today’s students are going to be inspired to the level we need for creative leadership in the world. I particularly enjoy reading our founding fathers – they certainly had to navigate through some dark times against incredible odds, and yet their faith and conviction in a higher purpose shines through. That is the essence I’m interested in my students hooking their wagons to and knowing within themselves.
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I believe it!
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