Pressing On

“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. . . .”Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

Life is a long intentional walk.

Throughout this long intentional walk there will be all kinds of choices. The choices may be good and meaningful things that draw attention for a moment and draw us off the path. Or they may be sirens and temptations of the world. There are all kinds of sirens calling out and drawing out attention, making it hard to focus and causing us to stray. Sometimes these draw us far away from the path we were on and trying to follow, and we may not even realize how far we have strayed.

Those choices can be paralyzing sometime and give a sense of being lost. They may fill us with anxiety. They create a sense of being lost even as we are seemingly standing still on the path.

But, maybe these are all part of a greater longing – a desire to find meaning or something that will make us whole.

What is this “ancient path?” I think it is the very thing for which God made us. In this life, it isn’t even a destination, possession, or achievement, but it is to simply walk and dwell with Him. But someday, all our longings will be satisfied when we hear, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people.” Revelations 21:3

In the mean time, keep moving and stay on the path God has called you to. Just like riding a bicycle, its easier to keep your balance and stay upright if you keep pedaling and moving forward. But for now it is to be his disciple and intentionally stay focused on the God’s calling on our lives and the presence of his Spirit in us. It is not easy, but God has promised peace even as we travel today. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Go back, go back to the ancient paths
Lash your heart to the ancient mast
And hold on, boy, whatever you do
To the hope that’s taken hold of you
And you’ll find your way
Andrew Peterson. “You’ll Find Your Way”

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“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14 NIV