The Road Less Traveled

This morning as I drove into work at a mere 5:35 in the morning (thanks to the pelting hail that started at 5:00 and jerked me right out of my dream state), I saw a little bit of everything...sleet, snow, and lightning, and even heard some thunder.  I decided it would be best if I left early, because by 5:20, the precipitation was starting to accumulate in our back yard, and I'm not really a fan of driving on ice.

I wasn't sure how long my normal 45 minute commute would actually be, and I certainly wasn't sure how bad the roads would get (or how quickly).  My normal route is 360 to 20 to PGBT to 635.  I am on PGBT for about 18.5 miles, and I'm pretty sure that all 18.5 of those miles today were BRIDGES.

The Bush Turnpike recently opened the portion from 20 to 30 and it's also a toll road, so the traffic is pretty light on a normal morning commute, but it was even lighter this morning.  I quickly found myself on "the road less traveled," which also meant it was "the road more slick."

I don't know much about driving on ice, but I know the basic rules: stay in the lines of those that were ahead of you, don't use your breaks on bridges, and stay focused on where you are going (no texting, looking at your phone, talking on your phone, or messing with your radio).

The problem with the road less traveled is just that, it's the road less traveled.  There are no tire tracks showing you the way.  No one has come through before you to make the path a little easier to travel, no trail blazed before you letting you know what the safest way to go is.

I was reminded of Matthew 16:24 when Jesus tells his disciples, " If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  In Matthew 8:20, He let us know that following Him would not be easy saying that "foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  Those verses don't tell us to follow Him when it is easy or when everyone else is doing it, the verse just tells us to follow Him.

So as you continue on your journey down the road less traveled (the one where it seems like you are on a road all by yourself, possibly even the first person to travel down that specific "road"), remember that it's okay to slow down so that you can stay your course, and ALWAYS remember to keep your focus on what is ahead of you, for that will guide your way.  As you stay your course, you can set a path for others to follow.

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.