“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. (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)
Dictionary.com defines a crossroad as “a point at which a vital decision must be made”. I believe that many people are, at this very moment, standing at a crossroads.
God told Joshua and the children of Israel that in order to possess the promise He had for them they must obey His commands and turn neither to the right or left. If the option of the right or left has been canceled out, you only have the option of moving forward or backwards.
So you’re standing at the crossroads:
· Behind you is your past, but in front of you is your purpose.
· Behind you is dead stuff (dead relationships, dead jobs, dead finances), but in front of you is your destiny.
· Behind you are the cares of the world, but in front of you is your calling.
You may be asking yourself, “How do I know if I’m at a crossroad?” You may be at a crossroad if:
· You feel like something is blocking your communication with God. Maybe the stress of life is tugging and pulling at you- job, children, bills, school, ministry, etc. and you’re finding it hard to balance it all and the demands of it is starting to take a toll on your relationship with God.
· You feel like you are in a mental prison in your mind. You sometimes find yourself thinking about painful situations from your past and find it hard at times to move on.
· You feel like you’re to be doing “something” but you don’t quite know what that “something” is.
· You sense that God is pushing you into new areas of ministry but you feel (hence the word “YOU”) feel that you’re not prepared or qualified.
· You have a deep desire to get closer to God but it’s almost a struggle to study and understand His word.
· You know what God is calling you to do, but you’re not quite sure how to do it and you need clear directions before making any sudden moves.
· You sense that God is calling you higher; to a new level in your devotion, your faith, your giving, your serving.
You’ve determined that you’re at a crossroad, now the question is “What do I do while I’m here?”
1. “Stand at the crossroads”- Stand on the promises of God. Stand on His word and remember what He told you. Remember that He is with you at the crossroad- Deuteronomy 31:8 “He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Remember that whatever He is calling you to He has anointed you for it and He will complete the work that has been started in you (Philippians 1:6).
2. “Look”- That means we have to put on our spiritual lenses and 1) look to God- keep our focus on Him. Avoid distractions at all cost. 2) look within- that means we must examine ourselves- 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified”
3. “Ask”- Ask God to show you the areas in your life that need to be worked on. Ask Him to open you up and magnify the areas of your heart that are not pleasing to Him. What things do you need to change in order to live out this calling God has placed upon your life? Just Ask! (Matthew 7:7). James 4 says that you have not because you ask not. If it’s wisdom you need, ask for it! If it’s direction, ask for it! If it’s a stronger prayer life, ask for it! Ask God to show you His ways so that you can follow Him.
4. “Walk”- Whatever God reveals to you, and whatever He asks of you to do, just be obedient and do it. Walk worthy of the calling in which you were called (Ephesians 4:1) remembering that there is a commanded blessing in your being obedient (Deuteronomy 28:1-9).
5. “Rest”- Cast all your cares on God, He can handle it. Stop trying to be SUPERWOMAN! Lay yourself at His feet and rest there. The Bible says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
There are at least 5 things you should be doing at your crossroad and sitting is not one of them. Anything that sits too long becomes stale. Even at the crossroad you have to constantly flex your spiritual muscles. The medical world will tell you that any muscle that is not being fully used has the potential of developing atrophy- a wasting away or loss of strength.
So you’re at the crossroad and there are some decisions you have to make. Will you go back to where it’s familiar and comfortable? Will you turn and go in a different direction because it seems easier? Or will you go forward knowing that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it?