I really do prefer the path of least resistance. I never was the student naturally inclined to take advanced placement courses, or do any work that was not required. My 5th grade teacher forced me to take the so called optional challenge spelling test every week. I prefer to accomplish my feats the easiest way possible.

This week I was introduced to the North Yungas Road in Bolivia. It is also commonly referred to as: El Camino de la Muerte, or the Road of Death. This treacherous 43 mile stretch was referred to as “the world’s most dangerous road” in 1995. It was built in the 1930’s during the Chaco War by Paraguayan prisoners. It is one of the few connecting routes from Northern Bolivia to La Paz.  Travelers ascend over 15,000 feet as they make their way up the trek. Much of the road is not wider than ten feet. It drops off some 2,000 feet in places.

I am not into traveling on such thoroughfares. I really do prefer the path of least resistance. Making my way down Interstate 20 toward El Paso sounds far more appealing. The speed limit in IH 20 is 80 MPH in some on some of the rural stretches West of Midland. That whole experience is just more appealing.

I am reminded today that some of the best experiences in life happen on treacherous roads. I really do prefer the path of least resistance, but in looking back on my life, some of the most meaningful personal growth has taken place when I make the conscious choice to go down a path that appeared to be steep and difficult.

The Yungas Road apparently has had some renovations done to it in recent years, but it is still dangerous. A bus went over an embankment on that path in 1983, and killed 100 people. At one point on the thoroughfare’s history, it was estimated that up to 300 people were killed annually as they made their way through that maze of a highway.

Here is an interesting irony. I really do prefer the path of least resistance. Many of us do. In terms of traveling on the roads of life, it is the paths that appear to be particularly perilous that lead to exceptional personal growth and fulfillment. I think there are some spiritual ironies as well. I plan to develop those concepts in my sermon on Sunday.

In the meantime, I plan to take a look at my personal GPS system. I think I need to reset it to take me down some pathways that I have not ever been down before. It sounds kind of scary. But it sounds exciting too!  I actually think the most dangerous life road is the one with the least amount of resistance. After all the path of least resistance may very well lead to a dead end?