Parker Palmer, in his book A Hidden Wholeness, writes about farmers in the Midwest (think Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakota's) who would tie a ROPE from their house to the barn. Why? Because if they didn't hold on to the rope, they would get LOST in a blizzard. Which is why there are stories of men freezing to death just a few feet from their home (because they let go of the rope). God has given us some ROPE to hold on to (that will lead us back to Him) amidst the crazy, busy, insane way we live life today. Holding on to the rope is a way to stay human, a way to keep your emotional and spiritual health.