Most persons have experienced the participatory sport known as busting drifts, if not this year, then certainly in seasons past. Anyone is eligible for the sport if they have enough courage and the right vehicle. The sport is at its edgiest when the outcome is in the hands of drivers who apply a variety of maneuvers to achieve the goal of not becoming snowbound at the side of the road. Variables include speed, lighting, wind velocity, visibility, base conditions, vehicle clearance, temperature and last but not least, a basic understanding of “rut-ology” — knowing when to follow in the ruts of previous drivers or discern the correct moment to forge one’s own path. It can be a tough call.

Most of us recognize the exact moment we mire in, that point when forward, backward, or sideways is no longer an option without first digging out. There is nothing to do but roll up our sleeves (even in a snowstorm) and get after it. Our very survival might be in the balance, a motivator of no small import. It is a relief when finally, at long last, the way before us is clear enough to continue the journey. Even then, heightened awareness is called for. It might even be that something new and helpful for the future might be gained from the experience.

It's always a relief when the plow or maintainer blades the most difficult sections of road, allowing us to move beyond standstill moments. Yes, the roads frequently continue to drift and fill back in, but we know it is temporary if we are patient. Similar obstacles are before us in our faith journeys. Sometimes, the way is open, inviting and clear. In other moments, there is fear and uncertainty when views are obscured. At times we are able to work our way back to the route, but in other moments it takes more than ourselves to accomplish the task. The value of spiritual community becomes most apparent when our way becomes difficult. We must learn to trust in gathered community, that its combined wisdom and courage might speak to our own hearts until we are able to get back on track.

Such community, however, is not without concerns. We vividly recall returning from a late-night volleyball contest only to be enveloped by fog. Luckily, we could make out the lights of another car ahead, giving us some assurance that we would find where we needed to be. Truth was, they were just as lost as us, as were the five cars that were following our taillights. The straight and narrow had become the winding path through very little effort on our part.

There are additional storms in queue for this winter that will discover ways to make us doubt ourselves. Be resolute and wise in your responses, knowing that not all guidance you receive will be sound. Stick to the ruts when called for, but climb above them when new paths worth taking become apparent. (And for those that might be counting, the official weather service snow total from Nov. 17 to Feb. 1 for our location is 56 inches.)