Road Less Traveled

Friends

Imagine this: You’re walking on a path through forest. The path seems to split. The trail to the left looks well-traveled, but you almost didn’t notice the trail to the right because it’s so overgrown. Which trail do you take? Of course, you take the well-traveled trail. But what if your guidebook says to go right?

 

What road do you travel in life? Is it the narrow road of trust in God and others, or is it the wide road of trust in yourself alone? Do you briskly travel down the road of life with the masses, or is your trip more measured and prayerful? The wide road may seem more exciting in the beginning, but it’s the narrow road that leads to fulfillment and beauty.

I was thinking yesterday about that famous quote as I was hiking, “I have taken the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference.”  See I have always taken the path less traveled when hiking.  I love to follow the path that the animals use.  True, it is much more rugged and overgrown and not always clear.  And at times I must make my way when there is no path at all.

I love the path less traveled, I have found beauty beyond what I could even imagine.  It may have taken more effort and I have stumble along the way, sometimes over rocks or logs, even my own feet.  But I have NEVER once been disappointed, only grateful for the journey and what I felt, learned, and experienced along the way.

With that said I have not always taken the road less traveled in life.  There have been times I have opted for the wide easy road. What I have found is that while this road may seem easy, and indeed it often is, it does not compare to that road less traveled.  I think we all know about those roads—roads where the rules and regulations of the world apply—roads we might assume take us to places of joy and happiness, only to find that they lead instead to nowhere and at the end of those roads there is often loneliness and emptiness.  We’ve all been down those roads.

For me I have never traveled these paths alone.  For 15 years Goose has been by my side and before him Pete and now sometimes I have Bert join me.  But always, always Jesus is with me.  He sets my sights higher and replaces my self-centered road map with a different one—full of love for God and for my fellow travelers (no matter what road they are traveling.)

He gives me a different set of rules, where anything is possible and truth, beauty, love and mercy is my only guide.  The way seems to be more difficult, with higher hills to climb and dangerous curves.  But oh the beauty, the adventure, the purpose!!!  AND I’m not in control.  God is the guide.  And following that narrow path He has laid before me gives me life and life abundantly.

Consider the possibilities following the road less traveled!  Consider the excitement and the joy!  Consider the hope and beauty!  Consider the love that surpasses anything the world can offer!

The road less traveled, it has made all the difference in my life.

Blessings,
Michelle