Words I Wanted to Ignore

Earlier this week I found myself reading in Jeremiah, chapter 6 specifically, and when I got to verse 16 I stopped. These are the words I read:

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)

The words about rest are what initially caught my attention. Days prior Wendy Blight had shared about this topic and it was something I found myself digging into. Rest was something I wanted and more so it is something I need. How about you? Christmas has passed, the breaks are over and we're back to routines...ones that often involve busy, overloaded schedules that leave me, maybe even you, longing for rest. 

The other day when I came across this verse I decided I wanted to share it with a friend. I was typing it up and found myself surprised at how this verse ended...honestly I was tempted to leave the last line off. The words, "But you said, 'We will not walk in it' just didn't seem to be very encouraging. 

As I paused and contemplated my decision to edit scripture (that's another post!), God used the words to do exactly what I thought they couldn't do. He encouraged me...and convicted me.

You see I'd been feeling a bit down, discouraged and distant, nothing major but I was not experiencing the rest this verse refers to. So in my attempt to share God's Word with another, He used it to speak to my heart. 

I read a verse I'd typed for another, but God pulled it apart for me and whispered to my heart. "Jill, numerous times throughout the day you stand at a crossroads - Do you get upset over another mess or do you pause and ask for patience? Do you seek approval from others or find your worth in Me? Do you rush thru Bible reading and cross it off your list or do you cherish moments spent with Me? Jill, you know what to do, but do you choose to do it? You understand I AM the Way, but do you follow Me? Daughter the choice is yours...remember the last line of this verse, I don't want your response to be the same."

Friend, the next time you stand at a crossroads I pray you will remember this verse as well, specifically the line I wanted to ignore!