At the Crossroads

There are times when we reach a crossroad in our life that forces us to hit the pause button. It is in those times that we feel the need to evaluate our surroundings, entreat the Lord for clarity, and look back at the progress we've made from where we came. It is at the crossroads where lives are transformed, yokes are destroyed, and families are restored. It is also at the crossroads where destruction hides it's ugly face, addictions persist, and failures ensue. It is here where we are given a choice. God will never impose His divine will upon us. He works in our hearts to prepare us for this moment. But, whether we choose left or right is ultimately our decision. One road leads to righteousness and the other leads to regret. We may hit the pause button, freeze frame, and delay, but I encourage us all to contemplate the length of our days. James 4:14 states, "...you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away". You don't have eternity to decide where you will spend eternity. Are you still dancing around the biggest decision you will ever make in your life? Will you choose Him?

God wants you...all of you. Therefore, we are either for Him or against Him. There is no middle ground. Jesus addresses those who exercise lukewarm faith by stating, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16) I know this is a tough scripture to sink our teeth into and the image it evokes is a bit grotesque, however, I believe it necessary as Jesus illustrates the seriousness of the matter. As it makes His stomach turn to watch us play the harlot, we should understand that our God is a jealous God. We walk a very thin wire, giving way beneath us, when we turn our affections toward false idols. This can include our relationships with other people. When do we finally realize that there is no man, woman, nor material possession that can fill the void deep within? Every time we try to satisfy our inner-longing for something more with something new, such as a new look, the latest technological gadget, a new boyfriend/girlfriend or new ways to keep them, we bow down to a lie the enemy has imposed on the human race since the fall of man. The lie is craftily devised and quite simple: feed your need by any means necessary. But no matter how much we feed the bottomless vat, we wind up even emptier than when we began. The common denominator missing in all of our tireless efforts to create "happiness" is the only piece of the equation that fits--God.

For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior yet still struggle with this, it is time for repentance. Our Heavenly Father does not relent from engaging us into relationship with Him. He may chasten us the way a good father should, but He does so in love. Later in the same passage drawn from Revelation 3, Jesus states in verses 19-22, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear...".

The day "I heard" was after I met a young woman in my biology lab class in my freshman year of college. She and I became friends over late night cram sessions before exams. I remember thinking her odd as she would smile about everything, including the C she received on a paper she labored over for weeks. She was overly gracious and in all of our conversations, she reflected the love of Christ. She was (and prayerfully still is) zealous for the Lord. She was enamored by Him and couldn't help but to mention His name at every opportune time. I too had a heart for the Lord as I had recently been "saved", but I was still trying to gain my footing on the fence. I wasn't ready to give up everything, including occasional partying and weekends spent at my boyfriend's house. Admittedly, there were far too many distractions in the way of giving my heart fully to its Pursuer. She and I never became too close for this very reason. I feared she would judge me and frown upon my lifestyle choices. Now I understand the truth behind my shame. She was bearing the light that exposed the dark in my life. One day, very frankly, she said to me, "You can't live a double-life. Being lukewarm in your faith is just the same as if you were on the side of the adversary." I remember thinking how harsh those words felt. They plunged into my heart and twisted it around in knots. Now I realize that it was the Holy Spirit convicting me. Unfortunately, those words didn't register until years later. But, praise God for His incessant knocking until I finally answered. Now I've come to understand the real zeal! If I ever ran into my college comrade again, I would thank her for being so concerned with my soul. When we put God first, His priorities become our own. She was ministering to this lost soul in our every encounter and I had no idea of it at the time. I thank God now for her obedience!

I would like you to consider a passage in the Bible from 1 Kings 13. There was an unnamed man of God called to the city of Bethel where a shrine had been established by King Jeroboam. This king of Israel encouraged his subjects to bring their offerings to the altar he erected. In addition to practicing idolatry, the king made his own sacrifices at the altar and chose priests outside of the tribe of Levi, which was against the Lord's commandment. (Ref 1 Kings 12:25-33) The man of God was strategically called to this location in order to proclaim the destruction of the altar under King Josiah. King Jeroboam heard this and commanded that the prophet be arrested. However, after a demonstration of God's powerful anointing over this man's life, the king invited him to his home. The man, faithfully abiding by the Lord's command, refused to go. Prior to his arrival at Bethel, the Lord had instructed him, "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came." (1 Kings 13:9)

So, the man of God did not return from where he came but continued to travel further. During his journey, he was met by a prophet who (lying) said that he received a word from an angel to invite the man of God into his home. The man of God trustingly followed him back to his house where they both ate and drank. As he was sitting at the table, the prophet received a word from the Lord, stating that because the man of God disobeyed the Lord's commandment, his corpse would not return to his father's tomb. The man departed from the prophet's home and was eaten by a lion on the road shortly after.

When I first read this passage, I sympathized with the man of God. He had been deceived by a fellow prophet. However, after reading the passage a few times over, I put aside my emotions and gleaned a shimmering morsel of truth, something I can identify with in my own prayer life. The man of God made a sad mistake. He trusted the counsel of man over the counsel of God. It was with good reason that God had instructed him to follow the path He had ordained. For one, the man of God would have hindered the advancement of the Lord's work if he returned from where he came. In addition, stopping for food and water would distract him from fulfilling God's greater plan and purpose. In this historical account, it ultimately led to his demise. Do you find that you sometimes trust fellow man more than our all-knowing and all-seeing God?

It is oftentimes at the crossroads that we lose our footing, sliding down the slippery slope to destruction when we aren't studying God's word or spending time in His presence. If we are bombarded with distractions, place our personal list of priorities before Him, and depend upon the advice and counsel of others, we fall victim to the lies and deceit of the enemy. And yes, we can be deceived even within the church. Scripture tells us, "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). It is through studying the word of God and spending time in prayer that we become better acquainted with our Maker and can therefore readily discern and guard ourselves against the counterfeit. We will feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to embark on the road less traveled when we choose the path that lead us into God's presence daily.

Do you find yourself at the crossroads? Before you take one step, I encourage you, just as the Lord commanded the man of God, "do not return by the same way you came". In addition, silence the invitations from anyone but your Heavenly Father. For He knows what's best for you. He has been incessantly knocking and patiently waiting for you to answer just so He can offer His love to you at no cost. His affections for you aren't determined by your social status, intelligence, or beauty. Isn't it liberating to know this? Be still while your heart seeks His face and He will reveal Himself to you. He will even give you a glimpse into the life He has tailor designed just for you. There is so much purpose and promise waiting on the other side of your decision for Him. Contrary to what you may think, His way is far more exhilarating, unpredictable, and adventurous than we could ever imagine. Get ready for the ride of your life with Jesus Christ by your side and as your guide!