Tag Archives: The Road Less Traveled

Be a Positive Trend Setter in 2023

Posted on December 31, 2022 by expressyourself4him

One of the major choices you will have to make in life is if you want to go with the flow or become a trend setter? Jesus touches on this subject near the end of his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:13-14. The analogy Jesus uses is based upon who you walk with in life. Are you following the masses on the highway to hell? Or as Robert Frost once penned are you taking, “the Road Less Traveled?” Jesus appears to be referring to Psalm 1:1-3 as who you surround yourself will dictate the choices you make in life.

When Enoch was 65 years old, Methuselah was born. 22 Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him], Genesis 5:21-24.

After the earth’s first family got off to a rough start with one scandal after another, the first trend setter came 7 generations after Adam. According to the passage above, Enoch wasn’t like most of the men on earth. While others were trying to please their peers, Enoch had his heart on habitually walking with God. Rather than a casual relationship, Enoch daily prayed and drew closer to the Lord. This example set by Enoch appears to have inspired Noah to become a positive trend setter in an evil society.

But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord. 9 This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God, Genesis 6:8-9.

Apparently, everyone but Noah was heading down the highway toward hell. The life and example set by Enoch had been forgotten by followers of God. Rather than take the less traveled path, everyone but Noah went with the flow in a society becoming morally bankrupt with each passing day. Sound familiar? As bad as the media and news makes America and the world sound today, it only takes one trend setter in 2023 to alter the course of history. May the lives of Enoch and Noah inspire you to make a difference in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Leader Can’t Lead Until They Know Where They are Going

Posted on January 15, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Everyone will face moments of indecision.  These periods are marked by confusion, hesitation and uncertainty.  Those who are normally confident may become more reserved until clarity returns.  During trying times, some may opt to seek the counsel of others, retreat to an isolated place to refocus or withdraw to reconsider their current state.  Ultimately, a leader can’t lead until they know where they are going.

So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s house heard about it, they went down there to him. 2 Everyone who was suffering hardship, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. There were about four hundred men with him, 1 Samuel 22:1-2.

While waiting to become King of Israel, David came under siege.  Trying to secure his future, the current King Saul began to target David, chasing him to a remote cave.  This location served as a place of refuge for supporters of David.  Unsure of where to go next or what to do, these men came together to encourage one another.  As time passed, Samuel refers to David as the captain of these men, preparing to lead them all in the near future.

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36 Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him, 37 and they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!” 38 He replied, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came [from the Father],” Mark 1:35-38.

Every morning twelve men eagerly awaited Jesus to reveal their travel plans for the day.  In the passage above, Jesus provides a blueprint for ascertaining what God wants you to do and where to go.  By getting up early, finding a secluded area and praying to his heavenly father, Jesus became the leader of the greatest mentor of men.  Yet, the son of God still needed thirty years of preparation to put this plan into action.  Thus, make sure you don’t rush through life.  Rather, refuel daily with a personal quiet time so you lead people to the road less traveled.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

You Won’t Get There in a Straight Line

Posted on December 26, 2017 by expressyourself4him

As much as families plan for a summer vacation or trips, things rarely go exactly as planned.  If you are driving, accidents, detours or traffic may re-route you in a different direction.  Flying across the country may save time, but unless you are flying direct there is always a chance you might miss your connecting flight.  Meanwhile, some destinations can only be accessed by ferry; missing one boat may throw off your entire schedule.  Thus, it’s important for human beings to learn to become flexible, making the best of an awkward situation.  If not, you may not have the persistence it takes to get you where you want to go in this life.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,” Matthew 7:13.

In 1920, Robert Frost wrote the Road Less Traveled.  This poem seems to transcend time, applicable today just like it was nearly 100 years ago.  This was written shortly after cars were invented, long before the development of America’s Interstate Highways.  Most people were forced to walk wherever they went or take the train if leaving the state.  The 2006 animation film Cars provides a scene with a poignant message.  Owen Wilson, the voice of Lightning McQueen is talking with Sally, Bonny Hunt.  While driving on a scenic road Sally says “people used to go for a drive to have a good time.  Now, people drive to save time, bypassing scenic destinations.”  When you rush from point A to point B in life, you often don’t enjoy everything in between.

“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it,” Matthew 7:14.

Like Frost’s poem, Jesus compares life to two different roads.  The first is similar to a super highway filled with attractive advertisements, adult entertainment and various rest stops along the way.  The second is less flashy, filled with overgrown brush, unpaved and vacant.   One is full of distractions, grabbing the attention of anyone who is ADHD.  The other is less appealing, laid back and quiet.  If you were talking about which destination, hotel or restaurant to choose,  I want the one which is cool, hip and thriving.  Upon further review, Jesus is talking about eternity, not a route to work.  Therefore, I’d rather get to heaven in a round about way than missing the exit completely.  Don’t worry if your life is currently going no where or stuck in neutral.  Rather, hold on to hope because no one get’s to heaven in a straight line.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Savior of the World

Posted on December 25, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, Matthew 7:13.

Two times of year at Christmas and Easter, backsliders, the religious and prodigals reunite at church.  The motives for this annual tradition vary.  Some do this as an act of penance.  Others do this as an obligation to their friends or parents.  Meanwhile, there are those who hope this visit will transform their life, praying that the Savior of the world will become real.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it, Matthew 7:14.

However, in recent years there has been some confusion over what the term Savior means.  Is Jesus the Savior of the World, for those who seek Him out?  Or is Jesus the Savior for the world, everyone included?  As Universalism expands throughout the world, the Pope and some evangelists are taking stances not found in the Bible.  Fearful of offending those outside the church, spiritual leaders are now claiming the God of the Bible is the same God as those whom other religions worship.  Unfortunately, this is not true.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves, Matthew 7:15.

During his sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about two destinations, heaven and hell.  Based upon his own words in the gospel of Matthew, those who enter hell is much greater than those who take the road less traveled.  While Jesus is the Savior of the world, He is not the Savior of all.  While this teaching may be unpopular, it comes straight from Jesus’ mouth.  I’m assuming the false prophets are those who stray from the Bible’s teaching, trying to appease a cynical culture.  In view of this, study the Bible for yourself in 2016 and you will discover the truth about the Savior of the world.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Living Without God

Posted on May 17, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Upon rolling out of bed, many Americans turn to the weather channel to  help answer the question, “what should I wear today?”  After a relaxing bath or shower, breakfast is on your mind before you hustle out the door.  Perhaps, you’ll have a few minutes to reply to emails, catch up on Facebook or text a friend.  Nonetheless, a morning without God often leads to days, weeks or months alone and on your own.

C.S. Lewis illustrates this truth in Mere Christianity through a chapter entitled “We Have Cause to Be Uneasy.”  Essentially, the longer you go off course, Matthew 7:13-14, without making the Lord a priority, the harder it is to return.  Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Less Traveled,” symbolizes the fork in the road of life.  While those living without God chose instant gratification, pleasure and sinful delights; those who take the other path are ridiculed, scrutinized and rejected by social media.  Despite the initial pain, a guiding light leads the way, Galatians 5:25, greater than the Force in Star Wars.

Today, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize living without God has become a societal trend.  If you listen to the words of an average conversations, absorb the lyrics of blaring music passing by or see the lack of joy in people’s faces, God is no where to be found.  Its no wonder that desperate souls keep looking for love in all the wrong places, void of progress and peace.  I’m not sure what people are waiting for, yet God has his perfect timing, Ecclesiastes 3.  In these last days, may prodigal sons and daughters come home soon before its too late to return to the living God.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Clearing the Path

Posted on July 20, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Robert Frost once wrote a poem about choosing the road less traveled.  Jesus spoke about a broad road and a narrow path at the conclusion of his sermon on the mount, Matthew 7.  Meanwhile, Moses referred to life as 2 choices, during his farewell address in Deuteronomy 30.  Since January uprooted trees, debris and downed power lines are blocking my future. Clearing this path hasn’t been as easy as I first expected.

Though my situation looks dire, many others have suffered equally, yet some has lost almost everything.  Job lost his wealth, possessions, buildings and his children.  To make matters worse, 3 close friends assumed God was punishing him for a sin he committed, but wasn’t honest enough to admit.  When obstacles block your path to the future, Hebrews 12:1, speculation is not the answer to your dilemma.  In Job’s case, his solution was just a prayer away.  Once Job acted upon his conviction, forgiving his friends, Job 42:10, God replaced his loss with a double blessing.

As I begin to throw off those things hindering my progress, Galatians 5:7, I need to return to the narrow path before overgrown branches, sticker bushes and weeds hide its entrance.  Once I find this path, the adventure is not over.  I need to apply Hebrews 12:12 by making a level path for my feet and follow the light when it get’s dark, Psalm 119:105.  When storms reemerge, I must fix my eyes on Jesus, trusting Him to remove any immovable objects so that my progress will no longer be halted.  There is no turning back when the Lord clears your path, Luke 9:63.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.