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I’ve been focusing on the importance of the choices we make—our every day choices about small things and the larger ones that make a difference in the direction of our lives. This passage from Jeremiah gives some good advice about making choices:
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).
Jeremiah is warning us against making decisions too quickly and making them without seeking God’s guidance. He says stand and look; think of what this decision will look like down the road. Don’t be deceived by the momentary glamor or attractiveness of this choice; what is it going to look like in a week, a month, a year—eternity? Then he advises us to look for the good way, the ancient path. That means take time to pray about it, seek godly advice if needed, ask God where the good way is. Often it’s not the way you may be intending to go.
Interesting that in that day the people refused to choose the good way. They just said, “Nope, not going to go that way. I’m going my own way.” I can think of choices I’ve made where, in a real sense, I said the same thing—going to do it my way. And without exception, those choices were harmful; I didn’t find rest for my soul
Could that be where you are at this point in your life? You’re facing a decision—a choice—and you just want what you want and you want it now, so you’re not asking for the good way, the ancient path that will lead you to soul rest. If so, I strongly urge you to stand at this crossroad in your life—this decision you are facing—and seek God’s way and then walk in it. You’ll never regret that choice.
Or maybe you’re living with the consequences of choosing your way instead of God’s way. Let me encourage you to know that God hasn’t given up on you. He always has a plan to prosper you and help you, taking you where you are, even as you are living with those consequences, and making a way for you that leads to soul rest, to a renewed relationship with God through Jesus. It’s never too late to stand at the crossroads and choose the good way, the ancient path.
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