Two Roads

 A frequent conversation I have with people involves making decisions.  The struggle for some is real in making a determination whether to attend an event, make a change in directions, chose a path, a partner etc.  With any decision, the ensuing result can alter one’s life significantly, in long lasting results or momentarily light side.  Passing up a piece of birthday cake may spare one of an uptake in the bathroom scale but in the grand scheme of life, no real significant consequence.
 
How do you determine the path or road to take in life?  I am reminded of Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” where both roads looked inviting.  The traveler was sorry both roads could not be traveled.  The traveler looked down one road as far as could be seen but the traveler chose the grassy road to travel. The traveler made the decision and knew the other road would not be traveled. There were two roads. The less traveled road was chosen and it made all of the difference.

Have you been there?  Have you been faced with two roads, not sure where either would lead you. Both may have looked to be inviting and you were unable to determine which would be the best choice, knowing you could only chose one. Jesus, during the Sermon on the Mount, in chapter 7 of Matthew gives instruction to those listening to him on the hillside.  In verse 13-14, Jesus refers to the road of life and stated 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

What was Jesus telling us about the road of life?  The choice is two roads with gates. The wide gate has a broad road but it leads to destruction and many enter through it. This sounds like an easy choice and a whole lot of people are choosing it.  In discussing with people, one thing that I have come to believe is that the easy choice that is fast to make, simple, uncomplicated and little to no risk, is typically the choice that leads to regards.  Just mediate on that thought for a while.  Look back over your life and see if it bears out.  It may not be true in every situation but for many it is true.  The wide gate, with the broad road has room for a lot of people to walk along beside, friends, laughter, games, jokes, activities, you name it. I just envision a party on the move.
 
Jesus tells us the other gate is small with a narrow road but that this road leads to life but that only a few find.  I am immediately struck that a few find it in comparison to the broad road.  It definitely sounds like a road less traveled. It’s a choice that screams intentionality and appears more challenging than the first gate and road. I have to make the decision look for it and once I find it, enter through that small gate and walk that narrow road.
So what is this road that leads to life? In John 14, Jesus is telling the way to God our father. In verse 5, 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus, talking about himself in the chapter 10 of John says in verse 9, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Jesus is the gate to the narrow road that leads to life.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have entered the gate and begin walking the narrow road that leads to eternal life.
Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Romans 10, the Apostle Paul tells us 9 If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  This is how we get to and through the gate to the road of life. 
Which road have you chosen?  The easy choice usually leads to regret.  When we chose Jesus, we yield our life to Him completely. No holding back. While we may be on that broad road right now, there is still time to choose the narrow road.
Blessings,
Karen
The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost - 1874-1963
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.