grace given me

Early in my career, I had the good fortune to work for a really great manager. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that best-in-class bosses, coaches, and teachers are not as plentiful as one would hope. But when I worked at American Express, I sat under truly excellent leadership. My boss was an inspirational leader in many ways, but what I revered most was her wisdom. As a young woman on the rise in my career, we once stumbled into a conversation about the impact of children on one’s professional life. I was uncertain about when—or even if—I wanted to start a family. My boss gave me some of the best counsel and it has stayed with me since. She said, “Not making a decision is a decision. Make sure you know what you are saying yes and no to.” 

How often have we stood at a crossroads and not made a decision? Have you ever considered that your lack of making a choice was a decision? How many of us have found ourselves in frustrating, bitter, or disappointing places simply because we did not fully consider earlier what we were saying yes and no to? Are you living with the consequences of your own actions and blaming God for what seems unfair? Do you cry out, ‘I didn’t choose this. I didn’t ask for this!’? If you are bold enough in your quiet time, I encourage you to ask God what role you may have played. For sure, in this life, unjust things happen, and bad things happen to good people. As John 16:33 reminds us, “In this world you will have trouble.” But I wonder: how many of us hold resentment toward God when we, in fact, bear responsibility. All along, God has been walking beside us as we drift down the river—just waiting for us to ask for his help to get out of the water we waded into. 

In Jeremiah 6:16 it says: “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.’” Life is full of challenging decisions. It can be difficult to choose a path when the best option is unclear. It can be even harder to walk the path when what God is nudging you toward feels like the ‘road less traveled.’ And it can be hardest of all when we stubbornly choose our own way. But in those moments when you’re stuck, or feel doggedly independent, this verse is overflowing with wisdom. 

First, it tells us to look. We are often blinded—by hurt, by past perceptions, by our limited understanding. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to what you cannot yet see. For we see only in part. God can give us a broader, more objective, more accurate view.

Then, the passage says twice to ask. It’s as though it knows how stubborn and prideful we can be, reluctant to ask for help. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and it will be given to you,” and Luke 11:9 echoes it: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you…” God is watching, waiting, and listening—eager to help. But again, we must ask.

Then comes the most challenging part: we must walk in it. We must obey. Faith without works is dead. Do you merely have an affinity for God, or do you believe him and trust him? When you demonstrate the courage and faith to walk in obedience, he will see you through.

Don’t be among those who say, “We will not walk in it.” Don’t scorn the counsel of the most high. God can handle just about anything—except our rebellion. He is a good father. What loving parent rewards a child’s prideful insistence on living on their own terms? You offer the carrot, you bring out the stick, and then you wait. You wait for the child to choose their path. God longs to give us rest for our souls, but we must surrender—and decide to walk in it.

Lord, I bless your mighty name. I thank you that you stand with us at every crossroad. You hear every prayer and cry for help. As we ask, knock, and seek—you are there. Waiting. For us. Ever so patiently, ever so kindly. Lord I pray that you will open our eyes to what we cannot see on our own. I praise you for your desire to guide us. Help us capture every decision-making moment and to fearlessly be obedient to you. We bask in your blessings. Amen.