At the Crossroads

One of my favorite passages in Jeremiah is found in the 6th chapter of the writing bearing his name.  The 16th verse of that chapter says, "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."   Those ancient Hebrews would not listen.  They said, "We will not walk in it....We will not give heed."  (vs. 16-17)  We seem to be living in a day when the ancient way is regarded as an irrelevant way.    

Jeremiah perceived that the Hebrews were standing at a perilous moment when choices were possibilites.  To continue ignoring the ancient way would result in a world where no choices would remain, only the consequences.  The Hebrews chose the way of experiencing and enduring the consequences.  In so many places and in so many situations it seems that the choices being made today by so many come from immersion in the common consensus of culture instead of immersion in the ancient sacred Word.  It is as if the mantra of the day is "We will not walk in it."   

Choosing to walk in our own way has been a problem since the beginning.  Choosing to walk in our own way speaks of the root cause of our sin.  It was the way of the Garden of Eden couple long generations ago and it remains a choice so easily made.  To live in a relationship with the Creator who brought us into being requires consideration of the word "submission" and a life style based on "Thy will be done"  instead of one which speaks of the way paved by ego.  To realize the difference is to stand at a crossroad where important decisions will be made.