Tag: monochrome

Robert Frost wrote “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference,” in his poem The Road Not Taken.

I suspect the route to fulfillment and blessings requires that we instead forge our own path.

As a child I was cautioned not to go into the woods that were near our home. The potential for snakes and briar bushes kept me fairly obedient. I teetered along the boundary but fear kept me content to remain just on the edge.

Yet as an adult, I’ve experienced God pulling me away from what I perceived to be a safe place and nudging me into a few “scary” ones as I kicked and screamed along the way.

Sometimes God leads us where we don’t want to go.

We may second guess what God is doing and why we need to inhabit such uncomfortable quarters.  Our prejudices and fears often place us in direct opposition to his prodding!

I don’t like to walk in the woods.  I’d rather walk through a clearing where I can see what is in front of me.

The woods are full of dark shadows, biting things and all manner of critters. The further in you go, the less sun you see.

But sometimes life is like that.

We may wander paths where we feel alone, but The Sun is still there, ever present as we confront our fears.  God has forced me time and time again to focus on my present state of affairs instead of obsessing about the future.

My present state has at times been scary. But these same life experiences taught me to look up instead of worrying about tomorrow.

I’ve learned to trust more, rationalize less.  

I have slowly learned that I’d rather forge through the woods with God than walk that more traveled path without Him.  

I think many of us don’t fulfill our purpose or reach our full potential because we want to play it “safe.” For some “safe” may mean away from the criticism of others. Or, it may mean to simply maintain the status quo.

Yet, if you are still longing for more out of life it may be time to make your own way.

Dare to knock over a few bushes, pick up your spiritual sword and hack away at your obstacles. Get up and get moving in the direction God is leading you.

Is this potentially scary?

Very much so. But if God is truly leading you “into the woods” He will certainly get you through them!

Will you get scratched up a bit or bitten?

Probably.

But you will emerge stronger and resilient as you come out of those scary places with God.

Trust God to lead you. Listen and obey.

Our paths are as unique as we are.

You can follow the crowd or be led by our Shepherd.

Is it past time you took a walk into the woods?  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

 

**Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Day 3 of my Five for Five Black and White Photo Challenge.  Thus far I’ve only had one other blog agree to participate. The rules are simple. Just post five black and white photos daily for 5 days and nominate another blog to participate. I was nominated by Lee over at Lee’s Birds and you can enjoy his photos here.  Come join the fun!