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Robert Frost wrote...

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Which path have you taken? Have you followed the beaten path, puppy-dogging behind everyone else? Or have you taken the way less traveled, pursuing the footsteps of the Lord? What choices do you make each day that keep you on that chosen path? Which choices prove to be wrong? Which ones do you regret making?

We all face numerous fork-decisions every day. Some are insignificant choices like what to wear or what to have for dinner. Insignificant as in the eternal scheme of things. But other choices have a big impact on our lives and others, such as deciding…

* to lie or not
* to cheat or not
* our life’s work
* to drink and drive
* the type of friends
* to look at porn or not
* whom to marry or to marry or not
* whether or not to have an extramarital affair
* to abuse our bodies with known substances that are addictive

So many choices can make or break our lives. The proper decisions, made according to God’s Word, will keep us on the right path.

Even when we pursue the Lord’s path, tempters will woo us from the sidelines. The enemy loves to beckon us that we might stumble in our pursuit of God’s way. Solomon warns, “Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. Don’t sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.” (Prov. 4:26-27 TLB)

Sometimes, that trail may grow dark, but God’s Word lights the way for us as the psalmist said, “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling.” (Ps. 119:105 TLB)

Paul exhorts us, “Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior. Don’t spend your time in wild parties and getting drunk or in adultery and lust or fighting or jealousy. But ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you live as you should, and don’t make plans to enjoy evil.” (Rom. 13:13-14 TLB)

If we make God-pleasing decisions, we will never regret the way we’ve chosen. In making the right choices, we will have God’s peace, righteousness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, comfort, and all the rest He has to offer.

David said to God, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Ps. 16:11 NKJV)

I pray that, at the end of our days, we all will be able to say…

“I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”