At some point in my teenage years, I read a poem by Robert Frost, and I have loved it ever since. In his poem the ‘Road Not Taken’ he speaks about traveling down a road and then it splits off into two directions. Now he’s faced with making a decision about which path to take. He finishes his poem by revealing that he in fact “took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
This poem has always resonated with me because life seems to be traveled down paths that suddenly lead to a split, and a decision must be made on which new path to take. This is when I seem to find myself panicking because may be the choice that I should make isn’t very clear, and heaven forbid I take the wrong path. Our sight and foreknowledge is very limited as we try to peer down our next set of options before choosing one or the other. We use what we know, mixed with standing on our tiptoes, hoping to gain more of a glimpse of what may lay ahead. As we examine both directions, it’s usually obvious which path seems to be well worn or is less traveled. Depending on your personality, you will find yourself drawn to one or the other. Paths that seem well worn and traveled by many usually appeal to me because I find some comfort in knowing that others have traveled in that direction and I won’t feel so alone. Others may desire to be alone and avoid the path that is well worn like the plague.
As appealing as that well-worn path is to me, it is typically the path that is less traveled that God often leads me down. As life continues to have its moments of splitting off, I am coming to the realization that it’s not so much about the path and how it appears, but it’s more about praying that God would lead me and keep me at the center of His will. Keeping prayer and the desire to be centered in God’s will as my focus, removes the rat race from my mind that often accompanies tough decisions, and it redirects my focus on where is should be -God! It allows me to rest in knowing that the God who calls also faithfully leads each and every day, and a split in the road will not interfere with His leading.
The path that is taken that results in “making all the difference” in our lives will always be the one that centers us with God’s will, and ultimately that is the best place we can be. Often, the direction we take in life is not about what we see and how the path appears, but rather recognizing God’s will. Christ Himself, bowed to the Father’s will and followed the path that was not pleasing to the eye and said, “Father, if you are willing, take this this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Therefore, our following God’s will is an act of living by faith and not by sight! When life’s path seems to split in different directions, and you’re not sure what to do, stop and pray, seeking only for God’s will to be done!
Highlighting the hope that we have in Christ! 