I came to a fork in the road today and was faced with a decision to make. I had a destination in mind. I had a time schedule to keep. But there I was facing a fork in the road. What was I going to do? What was I supposed to do? Well, I continued on my way and then began to wonder if I was right. Should I go back? Had I made the right choice?
Life is a journey filled with decisions. It is not just one straight road. There are bends. We come to intersections. There are side roads. We experience rising up into the mountains and going through the valleys. And all along the way the decisions regarding what to do are inescapable. Sometimes we might wonder if we are on the right road. Then we glimpse a landmark or a marker which helps us to see where we are.
Some people in this world seem to just keep going, hoping they will end up somewhere interesting. There are also the adventurers who want to take excursions off on all the side roads. Perhaps there are even some who become so perplexed by all the choices they just feel like parking along the way.
Jeremiah exhorted. . .
“(16) Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV)
When we come to the crossroads in life — as we consider the way we are to go — the text implies a caution against just rushing on. “Stand.” Sometimes we need to just stop and consider carefully before making the decision whether to turn or continue straight ahead. “Look.” Taking a good look around or down the road may help us see whether or not that is a good way. “Ask.” There is nothing wrong with asking directions. (You macho guys listen up here.) It doesn’t mean we are less of a person because the way is not always clear to us. We need to ask God for His daily guidance, study His Word regularly, and be willing to accept the help of others who are traveling God’s Road or have already been down the road we are presently traveling.
Regardless of the road the majority may seem to want to travel, we need to keep going back to God’s directions. When we stand at the crossroads in life, we need to seriously consider the “good way” so that we may “walk in it.” Certainly, there will be times we may wonder if we are on the right road even when we are. However, as we continue seeking the guidance of God, His markers will come into view to encourage us regarding our onward and upward progress in His Way.
Yes, I came to a fork in the road today and was faced with a decision to make. What did I do? I decided to leave it there and continue on my way, walking back to the office. The fork was off to the shoulder of the road and didn’t appear to present the potential of puncturing a tire or causing any other problems. And so, as I walked on, this focus developed. I hope you have been encouraged to keep checking God’s directions as you journey on. The final destination is going to be out of this world!
Have a great day SEEKING TO REMAIN ON GOD’S WAY!
Carl
[Note: The day following this focus, as I walked the same route, I noticed the fork still in the same spot and moved it further off to the side of the road. Several days later (Jan. 21, 2004), noticing the fork still there, I decided to pick it up and frame it with this focus.]
