Reclaiming Ancient Paths

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it." Jeremiah 6:16

I admit I’m not one that appreciates the value and/or beauty of antiques. Like many, I have an eye for what’s new or modern. Much of advertising today is aimed at keeping us in pursuit of the latest it thing. Values such as modesty, monogamy, integrity, discretion are not portrayed as essential but are considered out-of-date. But is new always better?

In this particular passage, the people are instructed to pause and really look. To not just forge ahead making decisions mindlessly but to be conscious. Our lives are filled with crossroad moments and if we are not careful we can find ourselves on the wide open path of doing what is expected. Aimlessly following the culture instead of choosing a path with far less glitz and glam, accolades, or notoriety.

But the seeking for the latest and greatest is not where true satisfaction lies. Rather its discovered when go back to doing things God’s way that we find rest for our souls.

At this very moment you’ve entered a crossroad, which path will you choose?

This post is linked with Monday Manna

Pondering the Path

What trodden track are you trekking upon at this time in your life? What course of action or conduct is governing those  steps of yours?

Like I have expressed many times here, I am what I call “directionally challenged”.  As you can imagine, this handicap has left me headed in the wrong direction, lost, confused, frustrated and frantically trying to navigate myself back onto the right road many times.  On one such occasion, my  nephew asked why do we ALWAYS get lost whenever we go some where. Any sane adult knows that when you are in the middle of a lost episode is not the time one welcomes the opportunity to ponder the question of why am I always getting lost. Oh no, instead I want to know how to find my way out of it.

But if one only asks the how to get out of here question instead of the why am I here question, they find themselves repeatedly in similar situations. Am I here because I have been trying to be in the driver’s seat of my own life? Proverbs 14:12(NLT)  says there is a path before each person that seems  right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Yet when I allow God to be my GPS He directs my life’s turns. And even though the roads He takes me down often look different from those I would like to take, I can be assured that He is leading me along a path that leads to life. But not just a life of existence but one of liveliness filled full of Him and all that He is.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Linking up with Joanne at An Open Book for Monday Manna.

 

When is long better than short?

Being what I call directionally challenged, I often go the route I know best rather than run the risk of getting lost. Times when I felt rather daring I have ventured down unchartered territory and on several occasions I have discovered that for months I had been going the long way around. I wasted needless time and gas going the sure way.

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land.

Now God is not directionally challenged like me but even He, the all-knowing one,  had people take the long way around. Everything He does is purposeful.

God said, If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.   So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.  Exodus 13:17

Going the long way around processed the Israelites for possession of the promise. Had they went the short route, perhaps they would have visited the land but certainly would not have had the stamina to maintain it.

Dear Lord, forgive me for all the times I’ve assumed that I really know best. Forgive me for all the times I have murmured and complained about what is yet to manifest in my life. For your promises are yea and Amen. You already know my final destination but it is me that you are preparing for it as I go along the journey of life. Thank you that you know the way that I take. I’m never out of your eyesight or reach of your loving hands.

Father I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters as they walk along the course you have set for them. May they be ever mindful that you are with them whether they find themselves wearily walking the long road or speeding down the fast track. Strengthen them I pray. May they have renewed confidence in You, Lord.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Never Walk Alone

It's something about walking in the morning that clears my head and helps to get my day off to a great start. As I walk, I hear the gentle whispers of instructions or inspirations. Often it's then is when the answers to things I've longed pondered seem to be revealed to me. But there are just as many other times that I don't sense any overwhelming presence of Him. But as I gaze at the sky or listen to melody of the birds sing, I see His handiwork. I'm awfully grateful that even when I can't sense Him and I can't hear His voice because of the noise in my head, He never leaves me to walk alone. He's always watching and knows my exact whereabouts even when I'm lost.

Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters,I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.