For by grace, you have been saved through faith.

~Ephesians 5:25a NKJV

On my life’s journey, I’ve never walked alone. Jesus walks with me to guide me, help me, protect me, and even talk with me. Still, this is the path less traveled. 

Sometimes, doubt, lies, and unbelief creep in and distract me from my walk with God. Even in dreams, the enemy tries to change the path God set me on. I once experienced this as I drifted into a daydream.

I came to a halt, happening upon a fork in the road. To the left, the path was wide, calm, sunny, and inviting. Flowers adorned both sides. Birds chirped, and animals frolicked. A seemingly perfect path to follow until the path veered around a huge rock I could not see beyond.

I heard faint sounds, like muffled yelling. Many people passed me, taking that path. They smiled and laughed. Some even turned to wave, attempting to persuade me to come with them. Person after person took this same path. But I stood, unsure which path to take.

To the right, the path was straight, but no one traveled it. Maybe because the skies were overcast, which gave it a darkened appearance. The winds whistled and tossed leaves along the path like a brisk autumn day. Suddenly, I jumped. Something bright shot across the path.

“What was that!” I asked. 

This path gave me chills and seemed chaotic. But wait. Farther down . . . 

“Is that? Yes, it is!”

Angels with shields stood at the ready.

“Lord,” I asked, “why are angels on this path and not the other?” Perhaps they were not really angels?”

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

~John 16:33b ESV

Confused, I turned back toward the wider path until I heard a whisper, “Take the path less traveled.” I looked around. No one was there. I took another step, and again, I heard, “Take the path less traveled.”

I tried to argue, stating how calm and peaceful the other path appeared and how many other people went that way. Then I laughed at myself. “Who on earth was I arguing with?”

Before I knew it, a sudden wind blew small sticks around, and one hit me on the head.

“Okay, I get it!” I said.

I walked back to the narrow path. Soon, hidden partially behind a bush, I noticed a sign that read, Fidem, the Latin word for faith.

Faith? Angels? I didn’t understand, but something inside told me to take that path, so I moved forward. I inhaled deeply and stepped onto the path. Seeing the angels still there, I quickened my pace. Glancing around, I was frightened and questioned my choice.

 

When I had walked halfway to the angels, big ugly creatures with glowing eyes came from behind the trees. Drooling and growling, they sprinted toward me. I turned to run, but a fiery arrow pierced my arm. I gasped in pain. Another one stuck in my neck. A third pierced my leg. I fell to the ground, and the creatures closed in.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

~2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

I cried, “Jesus! Help me.”

Afterward and in one blink, the angels surrounded me with their shields up, deflecting the rest of the arrows. Then, other angels ran past me to battle the creatures. One angel pointed up the path to where Jesus stood. I ran to His outstretched hand as fast as I could.

Jesus said, “My angels are always ready to help those who cry out to me.”  

After the angels defeated the creatures, the sun appeared and burned away the clouds. Now the path looked beautiful, even more so than the wide path.

Jesus looked at me and said, “No matter what happens on your journey, I will never leave you. Remember, it is not by sight that you walk. It is faith in Me that will get you to your destination. That is why all are given a choice of which path to choose.”

We rounded a bend, and I saw the other path. Creatures were there too, firing their arrows and causing pain among the unsuspecting people. I heard the groanings of those being hurt. But the worst part was that they all walked and wandered alone.

We are wise to choose the path of faith instead of the one with things we can see and touch. Rather than being influenced by fun and friends, we need to choose faith and follow the lead of the one who is with us, died for us, and came to save us.

Jesus’ message to me in this dream was clear. We cannot walk by only what we see and expect to prosper. Our lives belong to the one who made us. When we choose faith in Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that no matter what we encounter on our journey, He will be with us every step of the way, securing our future.

What steps will help you do a better job of walking the path less traveled? 

Father God, it is easy to put my faith in things I can see with my eyes. But what I can see speaks of the temporal realm. Teach me to put my faith in what I cannot see–hope, grace, mercy, and love–attributes of Your divine nature. The foundation for everything that makes life worth living is faith in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I choose to abide in Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: The Path Less Traveled: Sandra Stein: All Rights Reserved