Take The Tried And True Way

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

Jeremiah 6:16 NLT

Have you noticed the number of new "religions" that have sprung up recently? Usually, it has someone famous tooting its horn such as Tom Cruise with Scientology or Madonna with Kabala or Oprah singing the praises of "the Secret."

Because God gives us free will and choice and He doesn't force His way upon anyone, people are seemingly searching for purpose and direction and the proverbial "answer to the meaning of life" just about everywhere. On the home page of Kabala it says that it gives the answers to the "why" of life and it's about tapping into the energy of the universe.

You're probably like me and chuckle when you hear things like this because we know we don't need the energy of the universe when we've been empowered by the Creator of the Universe. I was on call yesterday morning and driving down Portola and I was astonished at the amount of cars in the parking lot of the Spiritual Center. It's located near the Post Office and they teach the "Secret" or so the sign says. And not only that, but they have two services on Sunday. I couldn't believe it.

At that point I stopped and prayed for those people inside because I know they are lost and are deceived each and every Sunday. Unlike our verse above, chances are these folks don't know about the old, godly ways. I don't know if they look around and see the Christian church up the street and they form an opinion about what goes on inside and they just choose the new "flavor of the month" to get to God.

My prayer for us all is that we would keep our eyes open for those "lost souls." People out there are hurting. I saw it yesterday in church as person after person left the prayer partners at the end of service with tears in their eyes and genuinely sobbing. If they're in our church chances are there is plenty who are not and trying to deal with the struggles in their own strength.

We need to invite them to experience the tried and true ways of our Heavenly Father. We know they will find a God who cares and who loves them and He will give them rest. May we be an example for Christ that represents His love instead of one that would send someone seeking the wrong road.