This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls….
Jeremiah 6:16a
Anyone ready for summer vacation? (Can’t you just hear school children screaming?) My family is so excited about going to Chicago soon, a city that neither I nor my husband have ever visited. In the past when we’ve travelled to a new place I usually take a trusty guide book and map, study them and carry them with me everywhere. More recently, all of my research has been done on the Internet and I use my phone as a guide and map once we arrive where we are going.
A friend came over this week who has recently moved from Chicago. Life has been so busy this last month that I haven’t had the chance to even think about our travel plans. She brought over a well-worn, laminated travel map of the city and we had such an exciting time talking about the neighborhoods, restaurants and all the stimulating activities that we could cram into our three days in the Windy City.
It was great that she brought over her beloved map to share with me. I could tell it had been used many times to navigate around the large city of Chicago even though maps are almost obsolete.
It reminds me of a well-worn Bible. Sure, we have access to every version of the Bible ever written online but there is something special about holding the treasure of God’s Word in your hands, the words in it the roadmap of our lives.
There are so many times that we seek counsel, wisdom and encouragement from God’s Word just as we reference a map to navigate our way around a new place. Our lives are full of new places. Every day is new and before we step out onto the highway of life it’s not only a good idea to check for directions, it’s a grace and a gift to have them right inside the tattered covers of our Bibles.
Every morning could be considered a crossroad in our life. The LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.” The godly way? Rest for your souls? Who would not want to travel that path? God is promising us a rest stop in the rat race of life. Instead of stop, drop and roll the LORD is saying, stop, look and ask!
So before I get out of bed in the morning I am challenging myself to stop, reach for my holy roadmap, God’s Word and ask Him for the godly way for the day. Won’t you join me in the challenge? Whether you reach for your ragged, worn-out Bible or a digital version you have on your electronics, do yourself a favor and stop, look and ask. Travel its path and you will find rest for your weary soul.