This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls….” – Jeremiah 6:16
As we live each day, it is essential that we consider the path we take. The big decisions and the small alike bear careful consideration. Values, beliefs, and foundations must be carried on. Preserved and honored. Remembered and understood.
Just as Jeremiah says above, we must stop and look around, pause and consider, and then apply the old, godly way, and walk in it. This will often look at odds with the way the world does things, but the truth of the matter is being at odds with the world can be a great indication of being on a path that pleases God.
Stop And Look
When decisions need to be made, we must stop and look around, not blindly press on. God has given us a Bible full of stories of cause and effect, commandments, rules for living, and so on. We must constantly consume His Word in order to keep it front of mind. Not knowing is no excuse when He has given us the perfect guidebook.
Pausing to consider which path will best honor Him is essential for a Christian. Our job is to be the light of the world. And keeping our eyes on Him is the best way to keep our light burning bright! Keeping our focus on God helps combat selfishness. Selfishness is a human struggle, but it limits us serving God with our whole heart.
Consider stories of old, back when things weren’t so cluttered with instant gratification and convenience. What did the founding fathers lives and values look like? What about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Life has a way of repeating itself. Lessons need to be relearned over and over again. The enemy has a way of constantly trying to infiltrate and confuse. And we have the responsibility to fight back, with God as our strength.
Ask For Guidance
As mere humans, it is our privilege and duty to ask for God’s guidance. To know God’s foundations and build on them. True we may falter and need extra encouragement, but we must always step right back up and stand on our godly foundation and hold securely to it.
When we stop and look at God’s Word, God’s guidelines, for our decisions, it helps us do the right thing, despite our human inclinations. And please hear me when I say this, we never lose when we obey and honor God. In the human realm we may temporarily suffer disappointment and hurt, but long term God will always work it for our good. That is how He operates and there are no exceptions to that rule!
Asking for guidance helps us humble ourselves before God. When we submit and surrender every single thing in our lives we can get more in tune with what He has for us and where He is leading us. If we already know what we need to do, then it is our duty and privilege to do it. Head up, armor on, confident in the path God has for us.
Walk In It
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21
As we learn what we need to do, we must have the courage to do it. I love how Isaiah says we will hear a voice behind us directing us! We must be sure to be sensitive and alert to this voice. Eager for the direction, not afraid of what it may say. I really think fear is a result of not having fully surrendered something to God.
Look around your life right now and identify what you may be holding too tightly. Surrender it to God, right here and now. As Christians, whatever we give to God, He returns with a double portion (Isa 61:7). This doesn’t mean if you give Him $100, He will give you $200. But rather whatever you give Him wholeheartedly, He will bless you in some incredible – and most likely – unexpected way. God is a God of abundance and mercy. He knows what you need far better than you will ever understand!
As you grow in your relationship with Him, be sensitive to His Word and His direction and walk in it. We are called to be set apart and holy, just as He is. And we can’t live and look like the rest of the world if we are called to be set apart. Living a life for God isn’t about instant gratification or being friends with everybody, but rather about the long term mindset of putting His ways before our own. It is our duty and our privilege!
Until Next Time!
Hope.