“Two roads diverged in a wood and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

The Road Less Traveled

This quote popped into my head one morning as I was waking up. It reminded me that we all come to forks in the road from time to time and have to decide which one to take. It’s often easy to just go with the flow and be carried along life without really thinking about the result of the road chosen. We just get busy with life and get kind of stuck in a comfortable rut.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Of course as Christians we have all entered that narrow gate that leads to abundant and eternal life in Christ, and we’re on the “holy highway to heaven.” But what about all the other choices we come across on our pilgrimage? Each choice will have its rewards or consequences. They can be wise or foolish.

And just what is the appeal of the road less traveled? To me, one of the roads less traveled may suggest pristine beauty as it has not been beaten down with constant traffic or polluted with noise and litter. Maybe it offers peace and solitude where I can pray or just be still and know that He is God. It could be a place of physical or emotional rest and restoration in preparation for the days ahead, as when the Lord ministered to Elijah as he lay and slept, exhausted and discouraged (1 Kings 19:5-8).

Many times I am tempted to “run on empty,” thinking, “I don’t have time to stop or slow down!” But there are times I need to put on the brakes and rest because the Lord knows that my journey ahead is great.

But what if the Lord calls us to walk a road of suffering for a season—a road that is lonely and dark, a road that is strewn with sharp stones, steep hills, and cold, bitter winds, making our journey difficult and unpleasant? The Lord told us we will have tribulation. This road, which many are tempted to avoid at any cost, promises a blessing if we are willing to take it: “. . . that (we) may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death . . .” (Philippians 3:10).

Let’s be willing to take a hard road of His leading, trusting and believing that “the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, (will) perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you?” (1 Peter 5:10).

Lord, You always lead in the way that is best for us. Help us to hear and be willing to obey when You say, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ Amen!