Choosing Your Path

Often in life, we find ourselves standing in difficult places. Sometimes they're unfamiliar. Sometimes they're too familiar. And sometimes we don't even know where we are, or how to keep on standing. We meet junctions and crossroads. We encounter situations that require choices - and choices are hard.

Choices are even harder when we reach the end of the path - just as I did today when walking through the snow. When we stand in such places, there are many options. I'll give you three examples.

1: Go backwards and follow a different path - a path someone else created.

2: Look around and see if there's another path nearby - also made by someone else.

3: Go forward and create a path of your own.

Which one do you think is the best choice?

In the journey of life, going backwards can be dangerous. Why make it to where you are, just to go back and go through everything all over again? Of course, if you're on a bad path, going back can be good. But if you're at the end of a path that's going in the right direction, and you're tempted to go backwards ... well, I wouldn't recommend it. The past is in the past for a reason.

Sometimes a nearby path can seem safe, but you never know where it's leading, or where it's already been. We all have companions in this life who have taken different paths. Some take the same as us, while others go in the opposite direction, and others find a path at the edge of the cliff - not good or bad, but in the middle, and far too close to the edge for comfort. We don't want to be on the edge. We don't want to follow someone else into misery. We want to be happy. Right? And maybe someone else's path could bring us happiness - to some degree. But it's risky, and in the end, I bet we'd all wish we'd taken our own way.

Truly, I suppose we all stand at the end of a new path every day - because every day, we have choices. As we look at that snow, so deep and so unknown, we search for our choices. Companions may yell, "Follow me! Follow me!" Others may say, "Come back this way - it's safer. It's better. Progress is just another name for pain." We're tempted every day. We're scared and uncertain. But the fear doesn't have to have control. Maybe someone else was on your path and stopped, because they were too scared, and now you stand where they were standing. Where are they now? Are they happy? Maybe you don't know, but do you want to make the same decision they did?

There is such a beauty in taking one step forward, and making your own path. You are you. You can't live anyone else's life for them. The minute you step out into that open space, you've chosen your own direction, and that's scary - but it's so good. You are unique. We are all unique. And we will all face this situation at one time or another.

So when you stare down your feet and then back at the snow ahead, don't look at it as a dead end - look at it as the greatest opportunity. And maybe, as you walk, you'll realize there are footprints under yours. Maybe you'll realize that people were there before, but that their tracks were covered up by new snow. Maybe you'll meet up with a friend or two, or even more. And then, as you press forward and feel the joy of being you, you'll realize you aren't alone after all.

You're never alone. We are never alone. We always have God, and through Him, we can find others who are on the same path.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

Don't be afraid to do what feels right in your heart. Make your own road.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. - Joshua 1:9

Bonnie Gwyn