"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

     We all travel down many roads. Once in a while, we arrive at place where we need to (a) stop and (b) look before we continue further. Continue on we shall. And while there is air in our lungs and the sun on our back, continue on we MUST. But for a time, for every pilgrim, there is a CROSSROADS. And it behooves that pilgrim, when he arrives at that crossroad, to ask the LORD, "where IS the good way?"

"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 -

     Ultimately, we arrive at these crossroads for many individual reasons. But the key observation, from the scripture above, is that a crossroads looms for every pilgrim because we have arrived at a time in our pilgrimage where we do not have rest for our souls. And the good advice from on high is this:

- we need to stand (stop) at the crossroad and then look (make sure)
- we need to ask for the ancient paths (wait on Him)
- we need to ask where the good way is (take His direction)
- we need to walk in it (follow what His wisdom says, not our own or man's)

     And, ultimately, we need to do this so that we can "FIND REST FOR OUR SOULS". For it is He alone who is able to and faithful to save our souls. (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

     So, effectively, what is a crossroads? It is, firstly, a moment of just stopping and standing, before we continue on. There are dozens of scriptures about simply "standing". It is also a moment for reflection (we are to look). But, most importantly, it is an OPPORTUNITY. It is an opportunity to further acquaint with the "ancient of days", and the "ancient of ways" by asking for the "ancient paths". Many of us find ourselves having wondered off the ancient paths as we travel the roads we do. It is an OPPORTUNITY to reset our trajectory and our story. To ask what the GOOD WAY is. And it is an OPPORTUNITY to "walk in it".

     God is the author of words. He IS the Word. He created words. So that we can communicate firstly with Him and also with others. This is why it is so important for us to keep our word. And for there to be integrity between our words and our actions. Words are the handshake of spirits and souls. Words are the bite-sized chunks of life and love that we deposit in the souls and spirits of those we interact with. They are also the vehicles of His wisdom and revelation. 

     For this, and many other reasons, I simply love His Word, and all good words. We all know how the body expresses itself. Through actions. But how does the spirit express itself? Through words. The Word is THE expression of His Spirit. I love every word, as a special and unique jewel that expands our understanding, and equips us to tell a story, and contribute to the stories of others, through uplifting, exhorting and edifying. At the end of the day, a STORY is a unique assembly of data (words, building blocks) with a soul, that together produce a "personal narrative". Jesus has his own story. History is His Story. We can all tell our own story, with our own words and actions. Words are powerful. As are our actions. And with those words we lay down as seeds for a harvest for others, through prayer, we can also lovingly contribute to the stories or lives of others.

     So let's look at the two words, "good way." Each word is a construction of syllables. One word I particularly love is the word "good". Not just because it is what we all aspire to be. But because what it is made up of as a word. For me, there is no coincidence that the word "good" contains all the syllables of the word "God". It is made up of all the letters of God with an additional "o". Firstly, the Word clearly says that "God" is "good". There is already an intrinsic relationship between both God and what is good. But also, therefore, there is also a structural integrity between the two words themselves. First, there is the word "God". And then there is the word "good" being structurally made up of God. "Good" is both the expression and accomplishment of who and what God is. So, for this story, being the words I choose and then mix with my soul, the extra "o" for me in the word "good" stands for "Of God".

     The scripture in Jeremiah above tells us to ask what is the "good way". For a start, God IS the "way". "I am the way, the truth and the life" - John 14:6. So, then, if good represents that which is "of God", and if God is "the way", then, if you take the two words of the "good way", the "good way" is simply the "way OF God." And the way OF God is that good way, that ancient path, where we find rest for our souls. 

     So if we want rest for our souls, there comes a time when we need to stop, and look, which is a deliberate effort to check where we are and where we are going, and to then, with God, make a definite direction decision, and not to just assume we are on the right path, but to ask "of God" (who has ALL the words and ALL the wisdom), what path we need to take. And then when we know, we are to then walk in it. And this we do, so that we may "find rest for our souls".

     The LORD says that He IS our rest. "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." (Psalm 62:5). The LORD also says that He will order our steps. (Proverbs 16:19; Psalm 37:23; Psalm 119:133; Proverbs 20:24).

     "And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

     Thank YOU Father for the good way that You provide for us all. For You ARE the way, the truth and the life. And we are forever Yours and forever grateful. 

- To God be all the glory. Forever and ever. Amen and amen.

- Blessings, Wayne Biehn