Standing 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.' 

I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' 

But you said 'We will not listen.' " Jeremiah 16:16-17

We all stand stumped at crossroads at one time or another. Not just the major crossroads, but little everyday decisions that land us yielding onto a different path--ones that will veer us off the path just enough for it to take some time before it loops back to His original. Sometimes we find ourselves in the crossroads that are very blatantly labeled "GOOD PATH" one way and "BAD PATH" the other and at other times we are ourselves stuck between a "GOOD PATH" and "THE BEST PATH." The latter path is usually the hardest to start walking-- its so easy to settle for the good path and be complacent-- especially when the best path looks like more work...and we think its not too bad because its still says "good" right? The definition for complacency: the experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situtation or accomplishments. Shouldn't that make a Christian hurt on the inside! Sadly, this how the world sees most "Christians" today-- living in bubble--Jesus is for them alone to enjoy. But how twisted does that sound?.. isn't a Christ follower supposed to be striving each day to look more like Christ? Never satisfied in our human selves as we continually strive for the goal and pull other's into the race to run along side us? Unfortunately the best path is not always taken and when the enemy can't get us using the "BAD PATH" then the "GOOD PATH" is an excellent alternative. Can't you just hear the enemy saying--"Hey, as long as they aren't doing much..its all good with me!"

I cringe thinking about how many times the Lord has shown me the the better path and I have said, 'I will not walk in it'. He pretty much screams at me with that trumpet sometimes! Afterwards, I stand back in awe of myself telling the Lord of the universe "nope, I'd rather not." How absolutely crazy is that? That is just when (like the Israelites in Jeremiah 16:19) our heavenly Father punishes us for our own good-- reminding us once again that He is giving us the "BEST PATH" for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory...so that we live our lives to the fullest-- not wasting it on the same old yield signs we are so used to seeing. He will not only be with us on the harder path, but holding our hands and LEADING us. Wouldn't you rather be on a path with your Sovereign God leading you then on a path by yourself? 

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

He is leading us step by step--over rocks, through dirt, and up mountains--lets come together, stay on His path, and strive to look more like Christ tomorrow than we did today. He, in His victory, is holding us... we have nothing to fear!