Happy New Year!  Due to family illnesses, I have had to take a short hiatus from contributing to the Whole Life blog.  Thankfully, much healing has taken place over the course of a month, and I am once again able to concentrate on writing.  Thank you for your loyalty, and for the many responses to express how much you have been encouraged by the blog entries. 

                                        God’s Positioning System for 2009

Even before 2009 dawned, many of us found ourselves at crossroads of one sort or another; one crisis or moment of decision where we just did not know which way to turn or which path to take.  I certainly experienced several of those times in December 2008. I needed God’s Positioning System to guide my next move, my next decision.  Fortunately, I was led to Jeremiah 6:16 where the answer was given, “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.”

Though speaking to the Israelites centuries ago, Jeremiah’s suggestions for handling those difficult decisions in our life are as applicable today as back then. Jeremiah advised us to simply “stand.”  Be still long enough to surrender the complex situation to God.  Yet, while we’re standing we’re advised to “look,” to be attentive, to listen for God’s voice directing us. As the prophet Habakkuk wrote, “I will look to see what He will say to me.” During this period of being still and looking we must spend some time in consultation (prayer) with the Lord, asking Him to reveal through His word how He has dealt with His people throughout history, “the ancient path” and learn from it. Also, we should ask Him to bring to our remembrance all of those times He has been faithful to us personally; those times when He has brought us through valley experiences. After the period of reflection and the history lesson, we are now ready for God to activate His Positioning System, as we express our desire to take the “good way,” the best route; the route that honors Him. Here is where we go from being lost to moving forward in faith. At this point, the Lord resets the GPS, and gives us permission to “walk” in the good way that He has mapped out for us.

“Rest” is the ultimate reward activating God’s Positioning System.  So, as we face the challenges of 2009, let’s remember Jeremiah’s recommendations to stand, look, inquire, remember God’s faithfulness, and walk in the good way. When He has guided us to our desired destination, when that particular situation or decision has been resolved, we are at peace with the decision.  I like Jeremiah’s plan, and intend to use it, not just during those difficult times, but daily in 2009.  I hope you will, too.