Jeremiah 5-7; Psalm 75; 2 Corinthians 10

by Becky Hill Martin

AUDIO LINK: https://on.soundcloud.com/Zkukj

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. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’(JEREMIAH 6:16)

“And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife, and you may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’ Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down…” I love this song – Once in A Lifetime, by the Talking Heads. It reminds me of how we often zombie-walk through life until we find ourselves somewhere we never expected to be. When we do wake up at a crossroad, God has some advice for us: STOP and look around. Think about where you are compared to where you should be.

On the wrong road? Not going to make it to the correct destination? No idea where you are? STOP. Look for the way back to God, then adjust your plan.

Maybe you haven’t paid attention to your surroundings in so long, you need to input “home” into a GPS. God gave us GPS – the Bible. Unfold it like one of those maps from the 1900s and plot your course back to Him. And, if you’re broken down on the side of the road you chose, He will send some roadside assistance in the form of a pastor or a friend to help you find your way back.

The thing about GPS and guidance from other Christians is that no amount of assistance will help you if you think you know what’s best. Our brains tell us to just “keep swimming” and we’ll make the trip just fine. Admittedly, we know the road we’re on isn’t the best route. We trip, fall and get scraped up. Still, we keep going.

We’re aware God’s way is the best path, but it looks so hard – rugged and steep – compared to the road we took that looked so much easier when we started. The thing is, when we’re on God’s path, He’s with us, holding our hand through the rough terrain and carrying us when we don’t think we can make it one more step.