These words were written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright, in the book, Shepherd of the Hills.
"Here and there among men, there are those who pause in the hurried rush to listen to the call of a life that is more real. How often have we seen them, jostled and ridiculed by their fellows, pushed aside and forgotten, as incompetent or unworthy. He who sees and hears too much is cursed for a dreamer, a fanatic, or a fool, by the mad mob, who, having eyes, see not, ears and hear not, and refuse to understand.
We build temples and churches, but will not worship in them; we hire spiritual advisers, but refuse to heed them; we buy bibles, but will not read them; believing in God, we do not fear Him; acknowledging Christ, we neither follow not obey Him. Only when we can no longer strive in the battle for earthly honors or material wealth, do we turn to the unseen but more enduring things of life; and with ears deafened by the din of selfish war and cruel violence, and eyes blinded by the glare of passing pomp and folly, we strive to hear and see the things we have so long refused to consider."
For many years, for Christmas and birthdays, I would search through out of the way used book stores and antique stores for the out of print books by Harold Bell Wright for my Dad who was collecting them. I had never read one of his books until now. A few years ago, we visited Branson, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains, where this story takes place. I bought the book to bring home and just now got around to reading it. It's a wonderful story.
"This, my story, is a very old story. In the hills of life there are two trails. One lies along the higher sunlit fields where those who journey see afar, and the light lingers even when the sun is down; and one leads to the lower ground, where those who travel, as they go, look always over their shoulders with eyes of dread, and gloomy shadows gather long before the day is done."
I pray that I will always choose the higher trail, seeking after the true, the real, the gifts of God.