The Road Less Traveled

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”   
Matthew 7:21 (NIV) 

When did you last stand at a fork in the road, knowing your next step would change everything?  

Picture two paths—one paved and beautiful, and the other uneven and covered with underbrush. You’re at a crossroads and must make a choice. Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” inspires you to follow the path many do not take. 

 The final stanza says this: 

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. 

 Throughout God’s Word, you find passages of comfort, instruction, and hope. You also discover words of rebuke, correction, and warning. Today’s verse is a warning. It gives a sobering call to follow the road less traveled—the road to Jesus.  

Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7:21, NIV). In other words, many well-intentioned people will miss out on experiencing the kingdom of Heaven. Why is that?  

At funerals, you may have heard those grieving share phrases like, “Well, I know he is looking down from Heaven,” “She got her wings,” or “I’m glad they are at peace.” Many people believe that all are welcomed into Heaven.  

But Jesus explains a little earlier in Matthew chapter seven that there are two roads—a popular one that leads to destruction and the less-traveled road that leads to life (see verses 13-14).  

 Walking the less-traveled road requires two things. First, you must embrace Jesus as the only true King. Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (NIV). All truths bow to Him.   

Second, Jesus says you must do “the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21, NIV). In other words, praying once and confessing that Jesus is your Lord and Savior is just the beginning. God invites you to walk each day with Him. 

 Living with Jesus as your Lord means you trust Him each moment of the day. Instead of being tight-fisted with your finances, relationships, and choices, trust Him to guide you through every twist and turn on the path ahead. Exhale your anxious control, stubborn pride, and money worries; take in His lasting peace, daily strength, and perfect provision. 

When you trust Jesus and accept His commands, you experience the kingdom of Heaven now and receive the promise of Heaven forever.  

The Holy Spirit invites you to choose the road with less traffic, better views, and a promised destination of lasting peace. 

 Share the journey, explore the views, and experience the beauty as you let Jesus be your guide and companion, following Him through every peak and valley, and you’ll lack nothing on the way. 

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your presence in my life. Give me the grace to honor You as Lord in every area of my life, every day. Help me trust Your will and welcome Your loving presence as my comforting Guide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.