The Highway Less Traveled

What do we mean by “the road less traveled”? Well, you’ve probably heard expressions like, “You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road.” But thankfully, we’re not planning a trip to Scotland before ye—at least, not today. The bagpipes can wait.

There’s no shortage of sayings, quotes, phrases, euphemisms, idioms, and proverbs reminding us that life’s path isn’t exactly a Sunday drive:

• “Stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
• “At a crossroad.”
• “Go the extra mile.”
• “By the skin of your teeth.”
• “In the nick of time.”
• “Let the chips fall where they may.” (Preferably not the potato kind.)
• “Can’t see the forest for the trees.”
• “Up a creek without a paddle.”

You get the idea. The list goes on, and if you’ve lived any length of time, you’ve probably been “up a creek” more than once—possibly even without the canoe, let alone the paddle.

The message is clear: life’s path isn’t always smooth. It’s more like an unpaved back road littered with potholes, detours, and the occasional inexplicably angry goose. And whether we realize it or not, we’re not the ones in control. God is. Sometimes He places us on “the road less traveled” for reasons we can’t understand at the time. It might look like a detour, but it’s really the scenic route in His plan.

Now, before we dive deeper, let me share a few stories—some that might knock your socks off (and if they do, I hope you’re not in public). Life often feels like it’s just the tip of the iceberg. But when we let God guide us, He shows up, often at the last minute, as if He thrives on divine drama.

Trusting God on Life’s Path

Walking the road God sets before us isn’t easy, but He assures us that every cloud has a silver lining (and every rainstorm, a rainbow). His timing is perfect. Consider these words from Psalm 20:

"May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

This reminds us that no matter how carefully we plan, life is ultimately in God’s hands. A friend of mine once shared how he was planning for a comfortable retirement. Yet, life doesn’t always follow our blueprints. Sadly, he knew stories of people who worked hard, only to have their plans interrupted by tragedy.

It’s a sobering reminder: while it’s wise to plan, we must prioritize eternity over earthly goals.

Stories From the Road

When I joined the Navy, it was a leap of faith. Those six years were anything but easy, but looking back, I see how God used that time to shape me. I witnessed moments of divine intervention that I can only describe as supernatural.

My wife’s journey also reflects God’s timing. After 15 years as an instructional assistant, she recently became a teacher. It wasn’t an easy transition—there were challenges with coworkers that tested her patience and faith. Yet through it all, she trusted God, and new opportunities arose.

Sometimes, God redirects us, even when the path looks uncertain. I remember driving to work one morning, stuck in traffic as far as the eye could see. Frustrated, I discovered an alternate route—a literal road less traveled—and made it to work just in time. That small detour reminded me how often God clears a path when we least expect it.

Biblical Roads Less Traveled

Scripture is full of stories about journeys, both literal and spiritual:

• Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt, yet God turned his suffering into a blessing for his family and an entire nation (Genesis 37).
• Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, witnessing God part the Red Sea and fight their battles (Exodus 14).
• Saul was on the road to Damascus, planning to persecute Christians, when Jesus appeared and changed his life forever (Acts 9).

Even Jesus walked the ultimate road less traveled: the road to Calvary. He bore His cross for us, demonstrating the greatest act of love. As He said:
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Choosing the Narrow Road

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:13-14:
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Like Robert Frost wrote in The Road Not Taken:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

In life, the road less traveled isn’t always easy, but it leads to lasting joy and fulfillment. Are you ready to take that road? Trust God to guide you, and you’ll find it’s more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

Even after His resurrection, Jesus joined two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). They didn’t recognize Him at first, but as He explained the Scriptures, their hearts burned within them. When they finally realized it was Jesus, their despair turned to joy.

Walking With God

Life’s road is unpredictable, but God walks with us every step of the way. So let go of the wheel, let Him take control, and trust Him to lead you down the road less traveled. It may be narrow and difficult, but it always leads to glory.