This morning, we arose at 6:30, ate a quick bowl of cereal, downed a cup of hot tea, and departed the Mammoth Campground near Gardiner, Montana for Old Faithful, near the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. About 30 minutes after we arrived, we saw the Beehive Geyser erupt, and were told by park officials that event happens only once per day. About 30 minutes later, Old Faithful gave us a great show. Afterwards, two of our party wanted to return to the campsite and go into town for another shower and a cup of coffee. Instead, Matthew, Paul and I pressed on. We drove another two hours through the Grand Tetons to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I couldn’t help but think of the words of Robert Frost.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Spending more time in the car, especially with the 17 hours of driving to return home beginning tomorrow, was certainly not the easy choice. Yet Matthew, Paul and I all agreed that it was the best day of the camping trip. Having never seen the Grand Tetons, we were all amazed by their magnificence. On the return trip, I passed a place in a creek that seemed to reflect the snow-covered forest behind it. I pulled over, but the photo was not what I imagined. Instead of returning to the car, Paul and I ran through a field deep with snow, down a muddy embankment, went across a creek on pebbles, and hiked a quarter mile beside the creek. Finally, we came to a place where the water was so still that the reflection showed. It was worth the extra work for the photo, and for the experience.
How often do we miss opportunities in our Christian walks because we desire to take the easy road? Searching for simplicity rarely brings satisfaction. Tackling life exuberantly is a state of mind more than it is a daily choice, yet we fall into habits. Habits, as we all know, can be good or bad.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
While the verse above applies closely to our abilities as believers to find salvation, it also applies to our daily walk. Many people find themselves following the neon lights of Broadway, but the daily blessings for Christians are more plentiful on the narrow way. Take time to step out of your comfort zones occasionally. Try not to be so concerned with the easiest way to accomplish a goal, as God often can teach you more when the going gets tough. Walk through the mud, but don’t let the glow of Jesus stop shining from your face! There are many people in the dirtiest places of the world that desperately need to hear of a God who saves!
1Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3
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