A Good Road?

David Livingstone was a missionary to Africa, one of the first of his kind. He went where no British, in fact, no white man had ever gone. Originally, a doctor, Livingstone made his way into the hearts of the people offering medical attention and solving problems of sanitation and unhealthy habits. Naturally curious and adventurous, Livingstone blazed trails mapping out the country and sending his findings back to Great Britian. He was the one who named Lake Victoria and Victoria Falls for the current queen of England. Today, statues and plaques can be found all over the continent honoring him as a beloved doctor and bearer of the Good News.

Once, while Dr. Livingstone was exploring new territory and discovering new people groups, he received a letter from the British Missionary Society telling him that if he had found a good road to where he was, they would send more men to help him. He wrote back with this message, "If the men you have to send will only come if there is a good road, they are not the men I want. I only want men who are willing to come where there is no road at all."

When my pastor quoted this letter in church today, it hit me that I don't know which kind of 'man' I am. Am I the type who only wants to go where there's a good road or am I willing to take the more difficult path into unknown territory and blaze a trail? Like the poem says, am I one who would take the "road less traveled?"

The Christian life that is safe and comfortable is usually also without fruit. It is those who live recklessly and passionately for God that see his hand move mightily through their lives. God did incredible, world-changing things through this Dr. Livingstone because he was one who did not need a good road. Are you?