In these days leading up to the New Year, there is a lot of emphasis on New. I want to spend more time with the old; the ancient in fact. Listen to God’s heart spoken by Jeremiah:
Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”
How often do we stand? Normally we are moving – and moving fast.
How often do we look – really look with eyes that see? Normally we just glance at people and things.
How often do we ask – ask and wait? How often do we ask a question these days and don’t even wait for the answer? And do we ever ask for the ancient paths – normally I am looking for the new path; the new idea; the new insight.
It is by walking on these ancient paths, these good ways that we will find rest for our souls. Let us stop and stand; look with eyes that pause; and ask with an openness to listen. And then let us walk into the New Year on one of these ancient paths.