Road Not Taken

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Psalm 16:11    You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with your joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 119:105     Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Proverbs 3:5-6     Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on his own understanding.  

Proverbs 16:9    A man’s heart devised his way, but the Lord directed his steps.

Proverbs 19:21    Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 20:24   The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Jeremiah 10:23    Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps

Jeremiah 29:11    For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 16:24    Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Romans 12:2    Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

So often we allow others’ opinions and comments to dictate some of the choices we make.  Too often I have done this.  And, for me, it has led oftentimes to a tougher time than if I had followed what I was being nudged to do.  (And I will admit, I sometimes want to hear a louder, more direct voice or signal, rather than a nudge.)

We do have to verify with God when we are being urged to take a certain path.  If it’s from God, we get a sense of peace and an excitement to see what the next step of His plan is.  Is there some fear? trepidation?  Maybe.  Probably, especially if it is new to you to be seeking His will, and what pops into your mind seems SO over the top.   But He will continue to lead and direct you to follow HIS direction to the point you can NO longer say, ‘maybe this was a fluke, coincidence….’  But there are enough directional signs given and you have to admit He is guiding.  Do you follow?

Some choose not to.  Admittedly, I have used my brain—full of its anxieties, uncertainties, and stubbornness and insisted that I knew best.  And lost some peace of mind, certainly had struggles, and wonder just how different things would have been IF I had had the confidence to go forth in the direction I was quietly being invited to go.  But as with most humans, certainly I THINK I am in charge, and I know what is best…..Such hindsight. 

I will never know what would have happened if I had taken the other path He was directing me to take  The poet, Robert Frost also wondered about this in his poem (The Road Not Taken) . I believe that is normal for us…what would have happened if I made the other choice?  Where would life have taken me then?   Which might have brought me the greater reward? 

For those who don’t know the joy of following and having a relationship with God, their decisions are weighed as to which might bring immediate gratification.  And most often as humans we look at the financial rewards before we see the rewards that are God-given. 

What opportunities have I missed that would have blessed me; or that He would have used me to be a blessing to others?  And as I have grown closer to Him, I know the satisfaction of helping and serving in some way for others.  I wonder  how my life would have been different had I followed thew nudging to do different?   How handy to be George Bailey and see  how your life and the decisions you made brought pleasure/love/ or positive outcomes to others.  Or like Ebenzer Scrooge you can see how your actions have negatively impacted others. . .

Oh Lord, I have made so many wrong turns not being willing to wait for your timing, or wanting what seemed best, cool, appealing for the moment and I have chosen to DIVE in, and not being a strong swimmer, have had trouble floating or treading water.  I do not want to be so impetuous and arrogant.  I want to wait until I can see the plan You have for me.  However, don’t let me be overly cautious because of my past mistakes that I don’t move at all.  Your path and in Your timing for me, that’s my desire.  Let me be like Elisha sticking close to Elijah on Elijah’s last day so I don’t miss You in my haste.

Oh my Lord, don’t let me remain deaf or blind or stubborn when it comes to doing Your will for my life.  You have abundantly blessed me and mybellaviews.’

The Road Not Taken  Robert Frost

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow woods,

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.   .  .