The Road Less Traveled

I am embarrassed to say that in the 20+ years I have been a Christian I had never read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, that is until last year. I gave myself a year to read through the Bible but I was able to complete my journey in less than that, it only took about ten months. Now I am working on my second journey through the Bible. This week I have been reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. What an incredible story of how God orchestrates obstacles and opportunities to get someone where he wants them. As I read this I knew how the story would end. I have heard it ever since I was a kid growing up in the Bible belt. It is one of the classics along with Noah, Sampson, Moses and all the other great characters of the Bible who went through all sorts of trials and tragedies before they got where God wanted them.

As I read the story I kept saying to myself, hang in there Joseph, it will get better. The problem with my thought is that I know how the story ends. I know that Joseph is going to be reunited with his family, I know that Noah is going to complete the ark just in time to save his family, I know that Moses is going to win the standoff with Pharaoh and his magicians and I know that Sampson will grow his hair back and destroy the temple killing over 3000 of God's enemies. But they did not know that. Noah, Joseph, Moses and Sampson did not know how the story would end. Joseph had a dream that his family would bow to him one day but he did not know he would have to be dumped in a well, sold as a slave, imprisoned based on false accusations from Potipher's wife, and left behind by the cup bearer and baker as they were released early from prison. Had he known he would have to go through all of this do you think he would have said "OK Lord, when do we start"?! I'm not sure he would have. However, God did not reveal the path from Point A to Point B, all he said was I am going to get you from Point A to Point B and he says the same to us. Look at these passages:

Jeremiah 1: 5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Psalm 139: 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

Philippians 1: 6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

All of these verses show us that God has a plan and a purpose for us. He is going to take us from Point A to Point B but he leaves out the details of how we are going to get there. As humans we don't like the unknown, we don't like not knowing the road we are going to be asked to travel. I know that for me I need to know what lies ahead. Just a few weeks ago our family traveled from South Carolina to Kentucky to visit family. I did my pre-travel research and found out that there was a rock slide in Asheville on I-40. I had three different routes we could take to avoid the trouble. Based on my research and knowledge of the trouble we would avoid, I felt good about the trip and all went well. However, in the trip we call life we have no idea what a day brings. That can really get the nerves rattled if we do not believe what God's word teaches. His word teaches that He is in complete control. He knows what paths we will take in life, He knows what wells, what false accusations, or what prison sentences we will encounter along the way and He will be with us all the way. The apostle Paul understood this better than just about anyone. Let me remind you of a few familiar verses concerning Paul:

II Corinthians 11: 24 - 27 - 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Acts 20: 22-24 - 22"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

If Paul could have decided what road he would travel I wonder if the verse might have read like this:

II Corinthians 11: 24 - 27 (Version 2.0) - 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty shekels of silver. 25Three times I was welcomed as an honored guest, once I was given fine jewels, three times I cruised the Mediterranean, I spent a night and a day in the Seaside Spa, 26I have been constantly on vacation. I have been whitewater rafting in rivers, in the company of good friends, praised my own countrymen, praised by Gentiles; welcomed in the city, welcomed in the country, refreshed in the sea; and overcame the false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled but have often slept late and vacationed much; I have tasted the finest food the world has to offer and have dined with the rich and famous; I have never been without.

Acts 20: 22-24 (Version 2.0) - 22"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that parades and celebrations are awaiting me as all are excited about the Good News I am bringing. 24 I consider my life worth much to me, looking forward to a long and prosperous life.

Back to reality for Paul! Do you think Paul consider the journey worth all he struggled through. I think so.

II Timothy 4: 6-8 - 6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

To borrow a line from a famous poem by Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Let me encourage you and me with the fact that God is in complete control of your journey and mine. We may not see it right now but one day we will be able to look back at an amazing, less traveled, road and see just how good God is.