The Fork in the Road

Do you find yourself at a fork in the road in your Biblical journey of faith?

Have you come across something in the Bible that seems to contradict what you’ve always been taught?

Then, when you tried to talk about these inconsistencies with your Bible-believing friends and loved ones, were you discouraged from entertaining those thoughts or asking further questions?

This is the fork in the road I’m talking about.

You’ve got a decision to make.

Do you continue to traverse the current path you’ve been on, the one that everyone you know or have ever known, and even respected and admired, is on?

Or

Do you explore the one you know nothing about, the one that looks a bit scary and desolate…the one your Bible seems to be saying is the way to go?  

I’ve been there. Many times now. And in every case I’ve chosen to forego the well-established path, the one the masses are on, and took the other one. Why? Because the Bible has been an authority in my life ever since I can remember.

The Bible speaks of a Creator God who loves His creation. It lays down sound ground rules in how to live our lives and function well within our surroundings. I personally see no reason not to esteem its contents. So, when the Bible says something that leads me down a different path than what my fellow man is on, I can’t help but want to take that road.

I’ve been scoffed at, shunned and even turned against because I chose to leave the path others were on. But following my convictions at each fork has yielded incredible blessings in my life.

I feel closer to my Creator, and I know my heart has been transformed in so many ways. I have a greater appreciation for the life I’ve been given, as well as for all of creation.

I am at peace in my spirit. I have shalom, as they say.

When you find yourself at a fork in the road like this, when what you’re reading/studying in your Bible brings you to a place that diverges from what you’ve been told or thought was true, understand that divergent path is not necessarily as lonely as it appears. You will likely find others like myself on that same path.

My advice is to:

• Take it slow.
• Take small steps.
• Investigate thoroughly each step you take.
• Pray for discernment.
• Never stop reading/studying your Bible.

When you do meet others who see the same things you do in their Bibles, enjoy the companionship, but please,

• Don’t ever take your focus off the Maker of us all.

Because more than likely, if you keep reading/studying your Bible, you will find yourself at yet another fork in the road.

Looking back at the many forks I’ve come upon in my life’s journey, I’ve found that when I followed my Biblically-driven convictions, each path I chose to take has served me well. 😉

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

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

If you are at a fork right now, please know you are not alone. I’d like to encourage you in your journey. We don’t have to agree on every understanding derived from Scripture. Just knowing our mutual focus is on the Creator, seeking to walk according to His ways at whatever cost, puts us in a special community. You have a place at the table here.

And if you found yourself having passed the fork, or didn’t even realize the path diverged at some point, please know you always have the choice to get off the current path you’ve been on in order to follow your Biblically-based conviction. Don’t let fear of loss deter you. Peace (or shalom) is an incredible thing, and you deserve to have it!

If you want to discuss a fork in the road you’re currently facing, please share your experience in the comments below. I’d love to hear about it.