THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

     Robert Frost wrote the poem “The Road Not Taken” in 1915 in a joking attempt to mock his fellow poet and good friend Edward Thomas. Because Thomas was often indecisive, Frost penned the poem both as a veiled jab at his friend’s inability to make decisions and to stress the fact that all of us experience frequent opportunities to make choices throughout life’s journey.               

     In the poem, Frost identified two seemingly similar paths or roads. After a careful review of each road, the individual presented in the poem opted to follow the less traveled road as noted by the words of the last stanza:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

     Jesus also talked about choosing between two roads or ways. He declared, “Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way (or road) that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

     In a somewhat parallel portion of Luke’s gospel, Jesus talks about entering through the narrow door which, once closed, prohibits anyone else from gaining access. The owner of the house has no knowledge of those out in the street who are pleading to be allowed to enter. These evildoers, as they are described, begin weeping and gnashing their teeth because they can see those who entered the narrow door/gate feasting in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:24-30).

     Who in your family needs for you to tell them about the road that leads to life? Who of your classmates or work associates do you need to share a message of grace and hope and love and salvation? What is the possibility that a friend that you have known for as long as you can remember is not traveling the narrow road that leads to life?

     Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). Jesus also declared, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep…I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:7, 9-10).

     In a unique way, Frost’s poem reflects the reality that only a few find the road that leads to life. Taking the one less traveled, however, can make/has made/will make all the difference! Would you prayerfully seek opportunities to introduce someone to Jesus Christ who is the only path for obtaining eternal life?                                                                                                Daniel