Over the years I have visited Sydney, New South Wales, on many occasions, although I am still not overly familiar with the city and surrounds. Sydney could probably be described as the tourist capital of Australia, situated on a beautiful natural harbour and graced with some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

On one occasion I was staying in a small hotel in North Sydney, located across the Harbour Bridge. I had a couple of hours to spare before my flight home, so I took the opportunity to do some sightseeing. I came across a beautiful little bay, skirted by a boardwalk and surrounded by carefully manicured gardens. The waters lapped gently at the sides of the many small sailing boats moored on the water, quietly savouring their seclusion.

I wandered along, drinking in the peace and quiet. The boardwalk led around the bay where I could see the Harbour Bridge stretching out in front of me. The path continued on under the bridge, and around the corner, but I couldn’t see where it went. I realised I had a choice to make. I could keep walking under the bridge and take a chance on what I might encounter, or I could turn back and be satisfied with taking home a memory of a lovely little piece of Sydney called Lavender Bay.

I hesitated for a moment, then boldly walked on underneath the Bridge. I looked up at its wide expanse, its steel and concrete towering over me and stretching across to miraculously touch down on the other side of the water. I walked on and on. The path continued to hug the edge of the water, turning this way and that. After about half an hour it ended in a jumble of rocks and I stood there relishing the feel of the water crashing under my feet and the sea breeze blowing away cobwebs of care.

Then I looked up. Directly across from me was the Sydney Opera House, its white sails rising up to touch the suns rays. A large cruise liner sat nearby, disembarking hordes of enthusiastic sight seers. Speed boats, cruisers and ferries busily went about their business as a variety of seabirds alternatively swooped and hovered overhead. A naval vessel steamed underneath the bridge and two helicopters chopped their way through the air and over the bridge’s arch. It was a spectacular and unexpected sight. The sheer magnitude of the harbour, the level of activity, the huge vessels and the sense of excitement took me by surprise. It was a magnificent view and an invigorating experience.

After a few moments I reluctantly headed back to the hotel, back under the bridge to the boardwalk and through Lavender Bay. This time I looked at the little Bay with new eyes. It was picturesque, but unlike the harbour it lacked a sense of industry and purpose. I was so glad I had stepped out beyond its lapping waters to experience the bigger picture.

As I walked back to the hotel, I thought that some people spend all their lives in their own Lavender Bay. They never turn the corner and follow the path that will lead them to greater discoveries and grander visions. Their life is pleasant but not purposeful; insular not invigorating; secure but never significant. They don’t ever discover how far the path ahead will take them, what they are truly capable of achieving and how much they will grow through their experience.

The most exciting journeys begin with a simple decision to leave our comfortable surroundings and walk a few steps down a path we’ve never had the courage to tread before. Towards a new career, a relationship, an education. Towards an opportunity to make a difference in our community, our city, our world. All waiting just a little bit further along the path. If you take the chance to walk on, it’s likely you will find greater significance and a grander vision for your life waiting just around the corner.

"What is your life?" (James, brother of Jesus)

"What you are is God’s gift to you.
What you do with yourself is your gift to God." (Danish proverb)


(c) Wendy Rush 2006