A few weeks ago, our organization had its annual meeting in Statesboro Georgia. My friend and I traveled together to Statesboro. We used GPS for directions on the trip there. Needless to say, it took us on the expressway.
With Atlanta traffic, it took us FOREVER to get to Statesboro. When the meeting was over on Tuesday evening we decided to take backroads, roads less traveled, going home. We left Statesboro around 6:00 that evening and thought we would grab something to eat on the way home.
Let's just say there were no restaurants anywhere near us for about two hours. It was also very dark and there were SO MANY deer on the sides of the road that we had to be extremely careful. I am happy to report that we arrived home remarkably faster than if we had taken the expressway.
I was thinking about the roads of life, the less traveled ones, that we might find ourselves on. I remember when our daughter was first diagnosed with autism almost 35 years ago. It was not as common then as it seems to be now, and there certainly wasn't as much information or assistance provided. I remember thinking I wish I could ask someone what they would do in my situation, but it was a road that I didn't know anyone personally who had walked down it. We had to moment-by-moment trust God for His direction. There were a good bit of details and leg work that I had to figure out on the road but honestly, I don't think I could have done it without God leading me, sustaining me, and just knowing He was there.
Even now we are walking that road again with our daughter involving her social security benefits. The process is long and tedious, but the funding is needed. It is going on 18 months that we have been pursuing this process. We are trusting God to get her paperwork passed through, but it is a road I have not traveled before.
I know people who are walking on their own road less traveled. Maybe it's a health diagnosis, an aging parent, a difficult child, a financial issue, or just that life in general can be very difficult. The point is that all of us at some time in our lives will walk through those scary and dark roads.
Here are some things I feel like God taught me from our trip home the other night. First, when you are on those unfamiliar roads you have to make sure you follow the direction of your lights. The same is true in life, you have to follow the light of the world. God will not lead you down these roads by yourself. He wants us to depend on HIM. Life can be so very tough, and we can feel fragile, but our God is able to lead us through even the tough times and He is NEVER fragile.
When the road is dark use your bright lights. God is the light, and He will illuminate the path in front of you so that you are able to follow Him. He will never leave us on the road alone. Psalms 32:8 says "I (God) will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel." The road might be dark, you might be the only person on the road, and it might be difficult and long, but God has his eye on you. Follow the direction of the light of God.
Second, when you are on a road you haven't traveled before, be alert and watch for dangerous situations. It is so easy to be distracted when life is tough. It can seem overwhelming and hard to concentrate. That is when you can lose sight of the light. Satan is just waiting for us to falter. In 1 Peter 5:8 the Bible tells us to be alert and watchful because the enemy is prowling around looking for someone to attack. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3 the Bible says, "But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one."
Just like my friend and I had to be alert and watch for the deer on the side of the road, we must be alert and watch for any danger that may distract us. The road less traveled might be tough, dangerous, and distracting but if we stay alert and focused on God, He is faithful to strengthen and protect us.
The last thing I will say is that we were so hungry. Finally, after about two hours there was a fast-food restaurant. This satisfied our hunger and to us was a reward. God also has a reward for those who believe and follow Him. The reward at the end of this road of life with God will feed your mind, body, and soul. God's road promises us heaven and eternal life which is so much better than any fast-food meal.
If you are like me, you sometimes compare the road you are on, which may have what seem like potholes, to someone you know whose road seems so much easier and evenly paved. I have decided that you can't focus on the road others are on, but you must choose to follow God on the road He has you on whether it is easy or hard.
God doesn't want us to look for the exit ramp when the road is hard. He wants us to trust Him, follow Him, believe what He says, and allow Him to lead even if it's on a road less traveled. If I am on a difficult road less traveled there is no one else I would want to journey with than the Creator of life. He knows every road, easy and hard, and promises to be right there with me.
What about you? Are you riding on a road less traveled? Trust the journey to the only One who knows every road we will encounter in this life. Put your faith in God and follow Him. He knows the details of every single road - even the roads less traveled.
___
Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. She is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
