Which road?

When you are driving, have you ever noticed that anyone in the fast lane going slower than you appears idiotic? Have you ever noticed that anyone going faster than you seems like a maniac? Roads! You can’t do without them, but you can deal with what is on the roads as long as you make the right choices.

The ancient Romans had a good system of roads, which were systematically planned and regularly maintained. Roman roads followed the straightest possible lines, although certain detours were made for safety or technical reasons. With Rome being the "hub" of the system, the now-famous saying that "All roads lead to Rome" emerged--because it was true! With over 50,000 miles of paved road, the road system of the Ancient Romans was one of the greatest engineering accomplishments of its time.

We can tell from an ancient administrative document of the first century, drawn up by the geometer Siculus Flaccus, the Romans classified their roads in the order of their importance. The most important roads were viae publicae (public roads), which were funded by the state. Of secondary importance were viae militares (military roads), built at the expense of the army; these later became public roads. Local roads, or actus, come after this. Lastly, there were privatae (private roads), built and maintained by the owners (Adam, 277).*

As a resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma appears to me to be the Hub of Toll roads. I consider Oklahoma City the central hub of the United States. North, South, East, and West Interstates run through the city, connecting Canada to Mexico and California to North Carolina. Never-ending traffic zooms through the city on its way across the country. One can only begin to imagine what the roads into Rome must have been like.

We can drive down a road in a car. We can ride a bike. We can walk. Roads lead us from cities and suburbs to parks and forests. Wherever they lead, roads are specific paths built to take you from one point to another. Sometimes, this infinite maze of roads leads to a dead end. Sometimes roads have obstacles that block our path or force us to take another avenue of approach.

When there is a break in the road, such as a pothole or construction, choices need to be made, alternate routes found. Some people get lost when they are forced to change paths. They may be unfamiliar with the territory outside their usual route, leaving them vulnerable to worry, or fear of the unknown. It is the choices we make at these points that determine our destiny. A very famous poem by Robert Frost describes his journey through life. He describes his choice at a crossroad and its impact:

The Road Not Taken Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)

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.

Roads are often used to describe the paths of our lives. We pick a road of work that brings us to a sense of accomplishment. We pick a road of marriage that leads us to having a family. We pick a road of mistakes that we feel “forced” in to by peer pressure. These roads are never-ending loops that can tie you in knots or leave you at a dead end. You will walk many different roads in this life. What roads have you traveled? What roads will you choose? Are you a weary traveler?

Our lives are based upon the choices of our perceptive minds. If we have a clear discernment of our purpose and a direction that is not clouded by our busy-ness, mundane things, or worries, then our choices will reflect good judgment. On the other hand, if these things are clouding our discernment, it will seem as though as our world is falling apart.

Driving a car down a road that has potholes can do damage to the car. It is the same in life when we proceed down a specific road and we encounter problems. Benjamin Franklin once said, “ those things that hurt, instruct us.” Hopefully, these bumps in the road will instruct us to try to not hit the bumps again.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Are you a weary traveler walking down a lonely road? Don’t trouble yourself with a heavy load and worries about tomorrow. If you hit a bump in the road just pick yourself up and realign your path. Soon you will be able to get rid of the mundane things. Tired of driving then let God be the pilot and His word be your map. Jesus is your air bag he saves us from the destruction and soon you are heading on a right path.

Although the road less traveled may not be popular, it is the right road to be on. Just pay attention to the signs! When you “drive” your life, be careful of the obstacles that will force you to choose another path. Read the map carefully. Heed the warning signs. Let God do the driving. Soon you will not be worrying about tomorrow but hoping for the coming of the day Jesus will return.

(* Adam, Jean-Pierre. Roman Building: Materials and Techniques. London: B.T. Batsford, 1994)