The Road Not Taken

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” Luke 9:28-33a

Last Saturday, Pastor Craig and I went hiking at Highbanks Metro Park. We bundled up and headed down my favorite trail. About halfway around our familiar route, Pastor Craig noticed that the trail divided and turned on a path diverging from the one we had always taken before. “Where are you going?” I asked. He explained that he was getting cold and didn’t really want to take our usual path. He thought this would be a shorter walk and loop us back to our car a bit quicker than the 2 miles we had left to go if we continued on the path we knew. I looked down the path and surmised that the trail must just connect into another trail that followed along Powell Road. I had never really been impressed with the scenery of that trail and wasn’t all that enthusiastic to follow. I tried to talk him into just going the way we knew, but he recited my own words back to me, “Let’s try it, we might discover something new.”

Doubtful, I reluctantly followed him on to this new path. Too my surprise it led us to a whole bunch of new paths at High Banks. I wasn’t sure how I had missed this whole section of the park. I had no idea these trails even existed. It was absolutely beautiful.

As I reflect on this moment, it reminds me of one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost.

The Road Not Taken
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.

In the Gospel reading for this week, Jesus leads Peter, James and John on a new trail. They go up on a mountain and they experience what we call today the transfiguration. Jesus turns dazzling white and both Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus and talk with him. Peter recognizes the beauty and sacredness of the moment and asks to remain there together, only for a cloud to come in and overshadow them and a voice come from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son. Listen to him.” Jesus then leads the disciples down the mountain and begins preparing them for his death. This moment is a significant turning point, in Jesus’ life and for the disciples’ journey of faith. It is a moment that not only transfigures Jesus but changes the direction of his ministry and mission for the world.

Where have you experienced these crossroads in your life? Where have you found a new path? Where is the Spirit leading and nudging you in your faith journey to try something new?

I don’t know about you, but in the midst of Covid and all the changes we have faced, I find myself not wanting to take any new paths or even try new things. I am exhausted and tired and adding one more thing just seems like a lot to handle. As it is cold outside, I find that comfortable and safe, just feels easier. And yet, I think back to my hike last weekend. What if I had refused to take the new path, all that I would have missed out on and still have yet to discover?

What if Peter and James and John had decided to not listen to Jesus and stay on that mountain and not come down? Sure, they would have missed the pain of the cross, but they also would have missed the joy of the resurrection.

All of us are given choices in life, paths that are put before us, new and old. It takes faith and trust to try new things especially the older and more comfortable we get. As Lent approaches, it is a time built into our church, to try new things – to dig deeper in our faith and try something new. I encourage you this week to pray about where God is calling you in your spiritual journey down a new path. Consider this Lent adding or deepening one of the spiritual disciplines of our faith to your daily activities. Consider focusing on prayer, fasting or even giving. Allow the Spirit to lead you down a new path and perhaps, like Peter, James, and John discover, this new path just may lead you down a journey that changes and transforms you forever.

Join us in worship this Sunday whether in person, live streaming, on YouTube or even in our Sunday morning Zoom Room. Let us turn to God, listen and open ourselves to whatever path he leads.

In Christ’s love and service,
Pastor Wendy