Crossroads

This is a snapshot of the world we live in. I am afraid that often the church falls into the same trap. We have become too hurried to stop and look, carefully consider the path we are about to go down.

Now could be the time for an important decision in your life. Please take the time necessary to carefully consider the alternatives.

We understand that our sight is limited and flawed, and we must depend on the guidance of Him who sees it all. Nevertheless, there is a partnership; we must use the faculties that have been given, and then trust in God for the ultimate direction.

When it comes to making this ultimate decision about life, Jesus says,

Matthew 7:13, 14… "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

II. Ask - Walk

Men especially have trouble with the asking part.

Joke … Dan Betzer tried to help women understand their husbands. He explained it this way, "If we’re out on a trip and we say, ’I’m not lost, I know exactly where we are,’ we’re really saying, ’No one will ever see us alive again.’"

We men just don’t want to admit it - we don’t want to humble ourselves to ask for directions. We sure don’t want our wives to tell us where to go!

However, let us make sure we get the picture. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on this verse, expresses it well when he writes:

"A traveller is going to a particular city; he comes to a place where the road divides into several paths, he is afraid of going astray; he stops short, endeavors to find out the right path: he cannot fix his choice. At last he sees another traveller; he inquires of him, gets proper directions, proceeds on his journey, arrives at the desired place, and reposes after his fatigue. The soul needs rest; it can only find this by walking in the good way. The good way is that which has been trodden by the saints from the beginning: it is the old way, the way of faith and holiness. BELIEVE, LOVE, OBEY; be holy, and be happy. This is the way; let us inquire for it, and walk in it."

Find out about the old paths - This too is foreign to our culture. We don’t want the old, we want the new. Old Fashioned, Old Foggie, Old Man, Old Woman, Old Hat - these are all negative, expressions. Old is passé, New is the order of the day.

Joke… A pastor and his wife decide to have the church deacons and their wives over for dinner. It was quite an undertaking, but the pastor and his wife want to be "Salt and Light" for the leaders of their church. When it comes time for dinner, everyone is seated and the pastor’s wife asks her little four year old daughter if she will say grace. (As a note to new parents: Don’t do this!)

The girl says "I don’t know what to say."

Her mom tells her, "Just say what I say honey."

Everyone bows their head and the little girl says, "O dear Lord, why am I having all these people over for dinner! Amen!"

This is also true when it comes to religion. The mood in America is "Do your own thing - create your own religion." How many times have we heard someone say, "I believe in God, but I like to do it my own way."