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 6:16 NIV.
God’s Message yet again:
“Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road, The tried-and-true road. Then take it.
Discover the right route for your souls.”
But they said, ‘Nothing doing.
We aren’t going that way.’
Jeremiah 6:16 (The Message)
The Bible instructs its readers to stand at the crossroads and look around.
This, according to “The Message” version of the Bible, is the “old road”, but it is also “the tried-and-true road.”
The Message Version of the Bible tells us God is giving this instruction to His people yet again. How much don’t God’s people need to hear this repetition? How quickly don’t we stray from the “old road” or “good road?”
The way or righteousness and godliness is the road to blessing. God’s Word says so, and it is true. Yet stubborn hearts refuse and answer, “we aren’t going that way.”
Why would we want the way of darkness, disillusionment, and suffering?
Why on earth would we not want to take the right road? The road that blesses?
Perhaps you have heard the expression, “All roads lead to Rome?” In the ancient history of Rome, they built multiple roads around the city to keep it safe. These roads eventually all landed up at the same destination. This English proverb or idiom meant that we can reach the same outcome using different methods. Apparently, in Europe today, most roads lead to Rome.
However, we all know the end of our life’s journey leads to death. Yet for those who believe in God and follow the path of His choosing, the outcome will be an earthly death, and then life eternal. The road will not lead to Rome, but to Heaven forevermore, and we will walk on roads paved with gold forever.
So will you take the ancient path that leads to life after death? Or will you stubbornly refuse the right road?
Many people believe there is no life after death. Or perhaps they are living only for the moment. Yet God’s people must be discerning of the roads they choose. Is the road we are on coming to a dead end? Or are we headed to an everlasting road of joy and blessing?
Recently, we travelled through the states to Charlotte, North Carolina. We covered a lot of roads, followed a good road map, and used our GPS as our back up guide. On the journey, we saw a lot of beauty, and soaked in the various highlights of our travels. We were eager to see it all and experience life to the fullest! And yet we played it safe and stayed on course, not venturing off to roads unknown.
I think we can compare our lives to that small vacation journey we took. We have choices of roads to take every day. We can take the high road, following the road which is most moral and correct, or we can digress and divert to the low road, which in the end leads to death and nothing more.
And just as the journey to North Carolina led to experience beauty and seeing God’s creation with eyes open in awe, our life’s journey can be passionate, creative, and unimaginably, exceedingly, abundantly beautiful. Yet we have to do it God’s way in order to experience the good life to the fullest for His glory.
In the end, all roads don’t lead to heaven.
I could go on and on about roads. It is a subject I will definitely come back to and you know why?
The road God has led me on is amazing. It is more profoundly exciting and captivating than any other road I could hope to go on.
The same will be true for you as you follow God’s way, His road, and the ultimate GPS of life, God’s Word.
So if the road you are on is causing you pain and confusion, misery, disillusionment and suffering, why not ask God to show you the road of His choosing for your life’s journey?
But be careful, for the road you choose is going to end up at a destination. Will it be eternal rest or eternal misery? Will it be heaven or hell?
That, in a nutshell, is where all reads really lead to.
WHETHER YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT, YOUR EARS WILL HEAR A VOICE BEHIND YOU, SAYING, “THIS IS THE WAY, WALK IN IT.” ISAIAH 30:21