A couple of weeks ago at church Esther preached on this verse:
‘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.’’
Esther’s words were challenging and clear. Last week a group of us were talking about what she said. Ann said that she remembered a song she sung as a girl. She amused us by singing it…
I met Jesus at the crossroads,
Where the two ways meet,
Satan too was standing there,
And he said, “Come this way,
Lots and lots of pleasures,
I will give to you today.”
But I said, “No, there’s Jesus here;
See what he offers me,
Down here my sins are forgiven
Up there a home in heaven.”
Praise God! That’s the way for me.
I remembered it too. I learnt it in Sunday School. It was a simple song about choosing to follow Jesus – going Jesus’ way. I understood it. As a child I made the choice to take the Jesus road.’
Now I see that it’s more than that. ‘The crossroads’ is about ongoing choices. It’s about standing to consider the options, taking wise advice, making good decisions and acting on them. It’s about choosing the right, just, loving and honourable and moving forward. This process challenges us through life’s big crossroads and daily smaller junctions.
Musing… I need…
- …History – Sticking with the choice I made to follow the Jesus road as a child; it was a good one.
- …Discernment – Daily wisdom in making good choices
- …Movement – Taking action – Travelling down a road and not standing still.
- …Rest – ‘You will find rest…’ Finding peace having made decisions; knowing closure.
- …Accepting Failure – ‘We will not walk…’ Admitting when I’ve taken the wrong road.
- …Meeting – Keeping the faith and desire to meet Jesus at my ongoing crossroads
malcolmsmusings.org 