Are You Facing a Crossroad?

Many times throughout our life we come to a crossroad. We stand still in the presence of choices. One path we think will lead us to happiness, another holds the possibility of peace, the more difficult road has the potential to lead us to great wealth, but only one road leads to Jesus, and on that road you will find all of the above and more.

The road of repentance is the road that leads to Jesus. This becomes the greatest crossroad of our life, because so many times, we don’t want to face the wrong that we have done, and we think if we keep running from it, it will eventually go away, but it won’t, not until  you ask for forgiveness. It will haunt you and follow you all the days of your life. This is by far the most difficult road you will ever travel, but it also holds the greatest reward, eternal life. On this road you will look into many mirrors and see many faces. Who are these faces you ask? They are you. They are those moments where you made choices good or bad that now show a reflection of who you are. You may say that some things happened to you throughout your life that you did not have a choice over, and while that is true, how you responded to those things, was your choice. These reflections can be scary at times, but we must know what we have done to realize who we want to be.

Repentance is not easy. It means looking into that mirror, and not turning away from it, and seeing all that you are. It means recognizing the sin in your life and turning away from it. Repentance is more than just saying you are sorry, or asking God Almighty for forgiveness, it means actually turning away from the things in your life that continue to separate you from God. Laying that sin down and never picking it up again is a sign that you have truly repented. This is where most people turn back and take what they feel is an easier road.

The bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  The broad road may be easier to get down, but it is just a camouflage to the naked eye, because once you start that journey, you realize it was just a trap all along. It leaves room for too many mistakes, too many bad choices, too many other paths branch off from it, that can leave you lost and confused. The narrow road is tight for a while, a little uncomfortable, because it is squeezing the bad out and pushing the good forward, but this is the road that leads to life and how unfortunate that the Word says only a few find it.

Repentance is the beginning of that narrow path. Once you have successfully trekked through the hall of mirrors, you find yourself on the path of salvation. You’ve emptied yourself of the sin that held you down and then you find yourself face to face with your Savior. You feel Him drawing you in. His presence is warm, comforting, peaceful and full of more love than you ever thought possible. You accept His invitation. You receive His forgiveness. You humbly thank and praise Him for the cross.

As you continue down this road, you do what the bible calls, “walking out your salvation” (Philippians 2:12). You follow the Lord’s leading. You read His Word, you do what it says and then you feel the road open up just a little. You feel like you are breathing again. You can stretch your arms and your legs and pretty soon you are dancing in the streets. You realize you have chosen the right path.

I cannot tell you there will not ever be bumps on this road or branches that cover it that you must climb over, maybe even a mountain or two, that you must conquer, but I can tell you that by choosing to stay on this path, you are in the victory lane. By making a choice to follow Christ, you will never have to face any situation alone ever again. You will have the best guide leading you, because after all, He created this path, so who could know it better.

If you are finding yourself at a crossroad, take the path less traveled. Seek God first. Seek His wisdom and His plan for your life. I have found over the years, that even when I did something that I didn’t want to do, simply because God told me to, I ended up so much happier than I ever thought I could be. Trust your Savior. He truly knows you best and what is best for you. Following the path that leads you closer to Him, could never be the wrong path.