Seeking the Ancient Paths

You write your life story by the choices you make.

Helen Mirren

In the 1950s, the Appalachian Trail twisted through the orchard of the Belmonte family on the Tennessee / North Carolina border. Hikers often would pause at the farm, take a brief break, then continue on. How did they find their way along this lengthy trail that meandered for more than 2000 miles? They followed white marks (known as “blazes”) painted on a variety of trees, rocks and fence posts. There are roughly 80,000 blazes – signposts, really – that mark this trail from Georgia to Maine. 

Kevin Belmonte has watched hundreds of hikers pass by his farm. He states that missing the blazes is a time-consuming and potentially deadly problem, because some areas of the Appalachian Mountains can “swallow up hikers like a haunted forest.” Choosing the right path, by following the white blazes, determines where hikers end up. 

Choices matter. They matter because they affect the direction in which we head.

As we read in 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.’

Jeremiah urges his people – the nation of Israel – to follow God’s path, rather than their own. To walk within the healthy boundaries set by God, rather than continue to violate God’s limits. Sadly, Jeremiah records the people’s response: ‘We will not walk in it.’ 

The Israelites’ choice to follow their own path – rather than God’s path – resulted in pain, suffering and exile. 

Thankfully, God has given us these prophetic words so we can make different choices. So we can experience different results from our choices. Jeremiah describes a set of actions we can embrace whenever we come to a crossroads in life. Whether we’re facing a dilemma about a relationship, a critical financial decision, or a moral judgment, we can: 

Stand:  We stop our busyness for a moment – we take a break from our endless rushing – 

            so we can get our bearings. 

Look:   We take our eyes off ourselves and search for the “blazes” that will point us along 

            the right path.

Ask:     We seek the wisdom of God through prayer; asking him to guide us in the time-

            tested “ancient” paths, because what is trendy and new is not always good. 

Walk:   We put our faith into action by choosing the path laid out by God. And as we walk, 

            we keep checking for the markers that point us along God’s pathway. 

Then – and only then – will we find rest for our souls.

Far too often, though, you and I stumble. We miss the blazes and veer off course. Why does this happen? 

Sometimes because we ignore God. 

Sometimes because we ask God in a cursory or hurried fashion. 

Sometimes because we assume that God already approves of the path we have chosen. (“Here’s what I’m going to do, Lord. Please bless me!”)

Jeremiah’s timeless advice is to consult with our all-knowing and loving Father. When we do, our gracious God will direct us to what is good and right and true. 

When facing our crossroads…and they will come...we can listen to the words of Jeremiah as they echo in our century: stand – look – ask – walk. If we seek the ancient of days, and his ancient paths, we will find rest for our souls. Not only today, but for eternity. 

Let me pray for you as you move forward into your day. 

Dear Lord, thank you for loving us so much that you blaze a trail for us; a trail that leads from here to eternity. Today, please guide those facing crossroads so they don’t miss the blazes; so they don’t follow a wrong path that will be time-consuming or destructive. Help them instead to have ears to hear and hearts to listen, so they can find the good way and receive your promised rest. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen. 

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