Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. (Excerpt from “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost)
To the majority of you this quote from Robert Frost’s poem is a familiar one. I have heard it numerous times as context for a graduation speech or a Sunday morning sermon. Yesterday, I heard this whispered to me by my Heavenly Father, and I needed to hear it. And as I was processing the words a very visual picture of this fork in the road formed in my mind. And with that picture came the reality that I had slipped off onto the wrong path. I was no longer on the road less traveled. I was on a main thoroughfare.
You wonder how I came to this conclusion. Of late, my mind has been tediously occupied with things that should have long been turned over to God to handle. I suppose I just thought I could help out a bit and blaze a little side trail on my own. In my grand plan, things would happen more quickly and my ideas made all the sense in the world to me! So…I yanked my hand from His and darted off to take care of some things in my own power!
Well, can I just say that was a big mistake. I ultimately ended up with regret, anxiety, and frustration, and fear. Satan was having a party. I was distraught. That was my “here’s your sign” moment! 1 Corinthians 14:33 says “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” I was most definitely not experiencing peace, and I was not feeling the presence of God in my destination location. How I missed the peace of that relationship, His covering for all situations, His grace and mercies that are new every morning, His blessings on my life. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Time to reflect, repent and return. Time to ask God to set my feet on the path to His will for my life, and that help was only a prayer away, mind you! God has a plan for me far beyond any I can imagine or attempt to manipulate. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) How short-sighted we can be, attempting to alter the good works he has prepared for our good and His glory!
On the road not taken by most, God awaits you. There will be storms and pot holes on this road, no doubt. Remember He uses those to mature our faith and make us more like Him. However, God will supply peace and guidance every step of the way. Just keep holding onto His hand until ultimately this road leads you to eternity in Heaven. Your plans will pale in comparison to what God has in store for you. Be patient. Don’t run ahead on the path. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) His time, His purpose for your life. Be patient for it will make all the difference. To God be the Glory!