At the Crossroads

When we reach a crossroads in our lives, we sometimes struggle to know which way to turn. This can be a trying time in our Faith journey, but one which we need to persevere through. At times like this I am reminded of the words of the great hymn Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah. 

May these words also offer you some hope and encouragement today.

Guide me, O though Great Jehovah
Pilgrim through this barren land
I am weak, but you are mighty:
Hold me with your powerful hand.

Thought: May the bread of heaven be our food and nourishment during our time in the wilderness.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Ancient Wisdom

 

¹⁶ 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.’
¹⁷ I appointed watchmen over you and said,
    ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
    But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ - Jeremiah 6:16-17

God invites us to stand at the threshold (crossroad) of a new year and to look out into the next 12 months. In order for us to navigate our way through the maze and muck of the future, we should ask for the paths that are well worn - the ancient paths that have carried the Faithful through their own lives. 

When we are given the 'good way', then we need to walk in that way, trusting in the Lord to be with us. Sadly, the people of Jeremiah's time chose not to walk in God's ways - they chose their own paths and in the end they forfeited the peace and rest they desperately wanted.

Let us listen to the words of God today!
We can still ask for the ancient paths and then we need to walk in those words of wisdom.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Which road to take? - Lent #20

Proverbs 22:5-6 - "Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
    whoever values life will avoid it.

⁶ Direct your children onto the right path,
    and when they are older, they will not leave it."

As a father and pastor I have the great responsibility of directing my children and congregation onto the paths of God. It is not as easy as it may seem. We all have our own ideas and personalities (myself included) and so there comes a time when you have to show the WAY and then let people decide for themselves. 

Of course it is equally important to keep walking the right PATH so that others may see that you still believe you chose correctly. The treacherous road always seems to appeal in the beginning, but soon one comes to realise that it is the wrong road. The thorns cut deeply into our souls and we are left ruing our wrong choices.

As we journey towards the Cross and empty Tomb, can I urge us to evaluate which path we are on. Does your road lead to peace, hope and grace? If not, then perhaps you are on the wrong road.

"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him." - Jim Elliot

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Four-way Stop!

Maritzburg has been having a problem with power failures again! This has obviously caused many of our traffic lights to become 'tin soldiers' guarding the roads. In situations like this motorists are supposed to treat the intersections as a 4 way stop! I say 'Supposed to' because most of the motorists DON'T!

I am convinced that many of our motorists have no clue what to do when confronted with this situation. When I was nearly wiped out yesterday, it confirmed my nagging suspicions - South Africans are clueless at 4-way stops!

Question:
"Did we not have to learn how to handle 4-way stops before we passed our drivers test?"
Answer:
YES, we did!

So either, we have forgotten what we learnt or we just choose to ignore it.

Which, brings me to this point -

"Are we not like this in our faith sometimes? We may have learnt in Kids Church (or somewhere else) that we need to walk in God's ways or love our neighbour's or trust God, but when we face a crossroads in our life, we don't know how to handle it!"

Is it because we have forgotten or do we choose to ignore what we have learnt?
Or maybe it's a little of both.

What do you think? Maybe I am being to harsh on our drivers and our faith :)

When you get to a crossroads in your life, allow the Spirit to jog your 'faith-memory' and then trust in God to get you over the obstacle.

Be Blessed today,

Living in Grace,
D3LM3