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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Some people travel a great deal but never really “see” very much; others may never go very far but really “see” quite a bit.
There are two kinds of highway travel. One is by the dual lane interstate highway system, which is designed to remove slowdowns and stops. These super highways streamline travel, passing around cities and by-passing most towns altogether; and by leveling hills and cutting through mountains. One may go faster and further with an economy of time and energy.
Other highways, that we might call the scenic routes, require more time and energy but offer treasures to the trip that make them worth the effort. They lead into the unique places like Asheville, Hendersonville, Waynesville, and yes, even Cowpens each with a charm and history of its own; or an ear popping and stomach swirling journey round and round a mountain like Mitchell; or into the big cities like Atlanta, which can be wearisome but also magnificent. These, on the whole, may be the roads less traveled yet have so much never experienced on the interstates, and at the end of the journey: richer knowledge of the cultures, people and lands through which you pass.
Jesus calls us to the spiritually “road less traveled” and away from the general expressway of the world. Sometimes His route painstakingly exercises and disciplines our patience, and requires sacrifice of our time and energy. His route will not allow us to blissfully and ignorantly “by-pass” the peoples of the world. The difference will be revealed at the journey’s end: those who follow His route will find and experience LIFE; whereas those who choose to “bypass” His route and stay to the broad and popularly traveled road will have the awareness that “they really missed it.”
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small,and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT)
Hope to See You at 149 Starnes Cove Road this Sunday, Charlie
PS: Our pastor will be burning up the interstates while on vacation July 8-18, but will make sure that he takes time to stop and smell the butterflies…er’ the flowers.
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