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.

The last few years of work have been disorienting for all of us. The harsh realities of a global pandemic, economic disruption, social unrest and political polarization have touched every one in some fashion. In my business consulting work, I often find clients pressed to “pivot” quickly, and then ponder later if they made “the right choice”. It reminds me of that famous poem by Robert Frost, where “two roads diverged in a yellow wood.” As Christians, part of our Good News is that “where we leave off God takes off”. The Holy Spirit is always present, guiding us through decisions even when evidence or experience is missing. Psalm 37:23-24 reassures us that “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Are you resting in this assurance, or wrestling through the pressures of the moment?