Roads are paths that take us places either physically or can be considered paths we take in our lives that are not physical but rather decision based. The Bible talks of ancient roads which were beaten paths in the earth and also about Highways (built up areas) which were used for heavy traffic such as military troops.
On the first Valentine’s with my husband Steve (we were only dating at the time). My soon to be forever gave me a framed poem. It is the Poem written by Robert Frost called The Road Not Taken. In this poem, it speaks of two roads that come together in the woods and the traveler discusses each one and which direction they should take. Spoiler Alert: It ends with the traveler selecting the one less traveled and makes a statement that it has made all the difference.
We can all look at our lives and remember roads we have taken and decisions we have made and may at times have pondered the same question in the poem. Over ten years ago, I choose a new road, one that I had not traveled at all up until this time. One I thought was less traveled, which was the fact in my case. I decided to follow Jesus and as the poem says…..it has made all the difference. You see, the minute I heard the TRUE stories in the Bible I was overcome by finally finding a truth I didn’t know existed. My life completely changed from that moment forward.
So I begin today by thanking God for His divine plan and purpose in my life and other brothers and sisters I know. I thank God for those that are on the way who will be seeking and choosing a new road to follow in their life. And, I thank God for His Mercy and Grace and Love for His children.
The roads we take, the choice of path, the direction and who we follow and decisions we make are so important to our salvation. I am a living testimony to this.
The Bible reads in Psalm 1-6:
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
There is such a contrast in this of the life of the faithful person and how it’s contrasted with the life to the faithless. Two roads, so to say. Everyone of us given the same opportunity and free will since the beginning of creation.
We can read all about roads in the Word of God and many scriptures speak how they are for direction, guidance, travel between cities, warning, encouragement, hope and divine protection. How blessed we are to be able to choose the direction we will take. Many of you may have wondered at different times, just like the traveler in the poem, which road should you take. Even more so now in these times where the world has been shaken, we may now be looking more carefully or differently at what paths we have chosen to take.
The Lord spoke to me on June 9th, 2020 - He said, two roads and I knew instantly He was speaking of the choices we make and he imparted how careful we need to be in this time of being prayerful and seeking Him for guidance.
This is not a new thing for the believer’s life but a way of staying on course with the Will of God. Even Israel had a road to follow in ancient times. They followed the cloud by day and the fire by night. This was the road they had. God always goes before us and He has already been where we are going.
We are in the times where many will cry out to God and may hear the Lord call out to them like in Mark 10:21 - sell everything and then come follow me, a clear direction or leading. In the book of Ruth 1:7 - Ruth sets out with her daughter in-laws after her husband and sons have died and even through this tragedy she does not give up but it reads: With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah. It takes strength and perseverance to not quit and give up when life comes at you with devastating affects.
There is a parable Jesus tells in the Bible in Matthew 13:24-13:30 known as the Parable of the the Wheat and the Weeds (Tares). In this, Jesus appears and relates how servants were eager to pull up the weeds (tares) and were warned that in so doing they would root out the wheat as well and were told to let both grow together until the harvest.
You see the Farmer has planted Good Seed in the field and in the middle of the night his enemy came and sowed weeds amongst the wheat seed. As the wheat grows side by side with the weeds they look almost identical and you can not tell them apart until full maturity. The workers (servants) of the fields wanted to pull them out but the Farmer says no because by doing so before maturity you will disturb or hurt the wheat and throw it out. When the wheat is mature the chaff or outer shell (husk) is removed and the valuable kernels are inside. There is a two part process in this separation called threshing and winnowing. After the plants were cut, they were crushed to open up the kernels (threshing) and then the pieces were thrown into the air (winnowing). Chaff is very light and is carried away in the slightest wind, while the good grain falls back to earth. Chaff is a symbol of the faithless life that drifts along without direction not knowing what road to take. Good grain is a symbol of a faithful life that can be used by God. But unlike grain, we can choose the direction we will take.
Like this parable, the road we take has the opportunity to bless others along the way by leading them and testifying to them. Isaiah teaches us to have zeal for others and wanting good for them. Isaiah 62:10 - Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see.
The road we take should be an example to help keep others from stumbling by removing boulders that could trip them up. Isaiah 57:14 - God says, “Rebuilt the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” This scripture is referring to pride and lust but gives instruction on rebuilding our road which is an internal process on the choices we make and how repentance is the key to clearing the road. We should be ready to testify, encourage, minister and lift each other up at anytime. Always helping to prepare the road for others.
And in Isaiah 40:3 - Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Simply put, this means clearing away all obstacles and rolling out the red carpet for the coming of the Lord. Now is the time to take a look at our trials and sufferings and be prepared just as Isaiah is saying in the scripture to see God work.
Time to focus our eyes on the Road ahead. To move in a forward direction with intention and purpose for the the things not of this world but of the Eternal World the Lord has for us.
Jeremiah challenged the people’s actions and moral behavior. Imagine Jeremiah in this day! In chapter 18 verse 15 - But my people are not so reliable, for they have deserted me; they burn incense to the worthless idols. They have stumbled off the ancient highways and walk in muddy paths.
This is a clear indication of the roads we choose may have moments of stumbling and wandering off course. Can we handle the criticism and correction that may come our way? Its in these moments we need to have introspection to look inside and to acknowledge if God is trying to tell us something. We need to know we can repent and pray and seek God’s guidance in all situations and circumstances. He is right there waiting for us.
God doesn’t always work in the way that we think is best for us. Right in the beginning days we see the detour Israel took in the wilderness: Exodus 13:17-18 - When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
If God does not lead you along the shortest path to your goal, don’t complain or resist. Follow him willingly and trust him to lead you safely around unseen obstacles. He can see the end of your journey from the beginning and he knows the safest route. I am one who believes if it isn’t happening the way I thought God would do it, well then He is protecting me from something.
Today, take the time to understand the shaking that may be going on in all areas of your life. Have areas been exposed that you need help with? Are you on the road that leads to Jesus and a life eternal with God the Father? Or is today the day for introspection and looking deep inside to see if there is a better path. Maybe you are on a good road and maybe stumbled off a little. It is going to be ok, praise God for His Grace.
God has given you the authority to overcome all obstacles and He wants good for your life. He wants to bless you, help you, and basically just be with you. He is a good Father and He loves you. Receive a blessing from the Lord in this day.
Which road will you take and travel and will it make the difference?