At the Crossroads

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)

A lot of us are standing at crossroads in our lives right now. We are trying to make decisions about jobs or other plans for the summer. We are looking for direction about what next year holds, whether with jobs or school or relationships. We are asking questions. We are looking. We are standing before the street signs of the crossroad and wondering aloud about which way we should go.

I find great comfort in the fact that God knows these things and has good plans for His people (see Jeremiah 29:11). It is reassuring to know that God wants what is truly good for us, not just what will work or might be okay.

Here are some thoughts from this passage in Jeremiah today:

• “Ask for the ancient paths” – the tested and tried paths that lead somewhere worthwhile
  “Ask where the good way is” – not the way of ruin or the mediocre way, but the GOOD WAY
• “and walk in it” – follow-through on what you hear; Jesus said that we are blessed not simply by knowing what is good, but by doing what is good (John 13:17)
• “and you will find rest for your souls” – Are you achingly weary with the weight of your decisions and questions? Follow in the Jesus way and you will find true rest for your weary souls. Jesus beckons to us to come to Him (Matthew 11:28-29).
• “but you said” – what do we say in response to Jesus’ invitation? We are the rest of the story here. As we stand at the crossroads, Jesus lays out an invitation for the tried and true, good way that leads to our rest.

What do we say?