Keep the main thing the main thing. Get back to the basics. Maintain your first love. Stay on the straight and narrow. Seek the ancient paths.
There are many ways to express the importance of retaining our focus as we move forward.
The Holy Spirit is described as our Guide. In John 16:13, Jesus promises, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
Waze, Google Maps, and other technology provide us with GPS coordinates and directions that follow the path of least traffic, guiding us from point A to point B. Yet the most up-to-date GPS cannot help us make the most important decisions about what direction we should take.
Jeremiah 6:16
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.’”
This verse in Jeremiah has been a powerful reminder and gentle guide as I seek God’s wisdom. Here are the four reflections the Spirit has revealed through His guidance:
1. “Stand at the crossroads and look...” When we are at a crossroads, needing to make a decision, we must pause. For me, this means quieting the other noise and taking a moment to look around—assess where we are and where we want to go, through prayer. I cannot barrel forward full steam ahead without first stopping to stand, look, and pray.
2. “Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is...” God honors those who ask for wisdom (James 1:5), clarification (Acts 8:31), and direction (John 14:4-5), even when we ask with doubt or confusion.
3. “And you will find rest for your souls.” There is a promise when we walk the ancient paths. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. On the ancient paths, we will find rest for our souls (Matt. 11:28-29).
4. “And walk in it... But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” He who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4:17). And he who hears the words of God but does not put them into practice is foolish (Matt. 7:24-27). So, when God has made the ancient paths clear, we must soften our hearts, trust and obey, and walk with Him.
As I seek the ancient paths, with the Spirit as my guide, I will pause, pray, ask, rest, and walk with Him. God’s way is best, even if it seems old-fashioned. Will you join me on the ancient paths?
Want to learn more about listening to the Spirit? Week 5 of Called to Listen has seven listening exercises focused on listening to the Holy Spirit.
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