What route have you taken through life? Is it the wide and heavily traveled one, or is it the road less traveled?
The famous poet, Robert Frost, wrote a narrative poem called, “The Road Less Traveled” in 1916. Its meaning is ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways. Some believe it helps us think about the choices of life. Others think it is about lost opportunities.
I find the poem inspirational. It describes the way I aspire to live.
It reminds me of Jesus’ words when he said, “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6, NAS). This means there is only one way to heaven and it requires us to trust Jesus to get us there.
He further tells us in Matthew 7:14 NLT, “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:14). This means that most of us are on the wide and heavily traveled highway. It is the wrong route.
As a young man I searched for a goal that would give me meaning in life. I thought the road to career success was the answer. But it wasn’t. Maybe it was marriage? But I couldn’t find the right one.
Then, I sought popularity and accomplishment. But these proved to be roads to emptiness.
Then at 26, I discovered the road less traveled. It was a very narrow way. Few people were on it or even knew it existed.
But I was desperate to find a meaningful path through life. I realized I had failed to lead a life that was good enough to qualify me for the next one. But the good news was that Jesus had qualified me for heaven when he died on the cross. All I had to do was to choose to rely on this.
I pondered the decision for months. I kept seeking more knowledge and understanding before I would take the leap of faith. Finally, Jesus said to me one night through Mark 9:24 that I didn’t need more knowledge, but to act on what I knew and invite him into my life. He would give me enough faith for this miracle to happen.
That very night he further assured me by demonstrating the miracle of taking up residence in my best friend’s life. So, I went to my room and invited him into my heart by praying, “Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief.”
I knew I could be giving up a lot to take this route – things like people’s approval, living close to family, some career success, perhaps marriage, and other rewards of life. But I was encouraged by what Jesus said in Mark 10:29,30 NLT:
“I assure you that everyone who has given up house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother or father or children or property for my sake and the Good News will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and property – along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.”
I have followed Jesus for nearly fifty years. I did lose some of the blessings mentioned above. But the things given back to me outweighed the costs. And best of all, I look forward to where this way leads. Jesus promises in 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
I chose the right road.
Journey into Lightl 