The Road Less Traveled - The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional

The Road Less Traveled

Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29

When I was a tween, my dad decided to take a dirt road “shortcut” in western South Dakota on our way to Mount Rushmore. As the dirt road gradually faded into two dirt tracks with grass growing down the middle, we traveled through pastures and over cattle guards before our car came to a chugalugging stop at the top of a small, desolate hill.

With the car’s hood open, my family milled around while my dad repeatedly banged the clogged air filter against a nearby rock. When one of my brothers directed our attention to the horizon, we glanced skyward and froze. Two fighter jets streaked silently overhead, flying fast and extremely low directly over us. It wasn’t until the jets had almost disappeared over the horizon that we were blasted by the sonic boom.

My parents shared a silent look. We had obviously stumbled somewhere we did not belong. Dad hurriedly finished clearing the air filter, and we left the way we came, continuing our journey without further delay.

Adventure has a tendency to find my dad. He has a penchant for taking dirt roads wherever he goes. Because of it, our family road trips growing up were filled with beautiful sights, crazy adventures, and fond memories.

The same goes for following God. When you say yes to intentionally incorporating kindness into every part of your life, you’ll often find yourself on the road less traveled. You’ll be asked to trust God in difficult circumstances when everyone else doubts, to step forward when others step back, and to share when others hold tightly to what they have. The Gospels are filled with examples of Jesus encouraging his followers to step out in faith, just as he invited Peter to step out onto the water. Peter’s lack of faith aside, he was brave enough to take the step, something no one else in the boat managed to do. Peter took the road less traveled, and Jesus asks us to do the same.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Prayerfully consider which of your comfort zones God might be asking you to step out of. Then take a step.