The Ancient Paths

Some folks regard the past like a piranha fish.  While the piranha fish do not frequent nearby rivers and ponds, the movie industry has made these razor toothed fish the villain in enough movies to make them a true Friday the 13th character.  Those who think of the past in such a way want us to believe that our past has enough horror in it to devour our future.  The exact opposite is true  The past whether it is our individual history or our collective history can serve us well as we walk toward whatever is ahead.  

The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, was inspired to put such a Word in the mouth of the Lord.  In Jeremiah 6:16 we hear, "Thus says the Lord:  Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls."   While it is a dangerous thing to live in the past, it is an equally dangerous thing to ignore it.  The directive of God's Word reminds us that there is a way which has been in place since the beginning which is always life giving. It is a good road to walk.    

And, as the Lord speaks through the prophet, we are enabled to see that there are moments when we need to pause and seek the way of the past.  He uses the word "crossroads" which speak to us of a moment for deciding the way forward.  Instead of racing into what we think might be the best of all choices, the Word of the Lord calls us to look at those who have walked through those times before us, to benefit from their stories, and to determine how it is that He is speaking to us through the record of His dealings with other people so much like us.