top of page

At the Crossroads

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16


As a child, I was enamored by the movie, The Wizard of Oz. Still am.


Featured in the wonder of color film, there’s that scene where Dorothy and Toto stride optimistically along the Yellow Brick Road, a path Dorothy assumed would be a direct shot to her goal: to find the Wizard who would ensure she made it back home.


Then … along the way, where the paths meet ... (Proverbs 8:2) an unexpected crossroad.

Goodness, without a map or cellar GPS, what was she going to do?


Being a faithful pup, Toto waited for human direction.


The encounter with a brainless, chattering scarecrow only added to the confusion—although when Dorothy asked how Scarecrow could talk if he didn't have a brain, he most profoundly responded,


"I don't know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they?"


But I digress.


As to which direction to take, Dorothy and Scarecrow simply glanced down one which-way and skip-hop-danced toward Emerald City, the intended destination. Afterall, those wee folk back in Munchkinland wouldn't have steered her wrong, would they?


The crossroad predicament is relatable. It occurs in our brains throughout our waking hours, day and/or night.


Unlike the fictional Wizard of Oz characters, we have guidance-voices in the Holy Spirit and the enemy. These two are characterized throughout Proverbs as Wisdom and Folly.


Wisdom and Folly both call from high places, but Wisdom calls from the city gate to enable the people with ears to hear to come her direction.

  • On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she [Wisdom] takes her stand. Proverbs 8:1-2

  • Wisdom cries out from the highest point of the city Proverbs 9:3.

And Folly? Well, she’s also LOUD, but undisciplined and unruly (Proverbs 9:13). Aaaand ... she calls from outside the door of her house—luring us over the threshold.


Not a place we want to end up.


I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ Jeremiah 6:17


Easy to balk at such a haughty, rebellious attitude, isn’t it?


But if we’re not listening to Wisdom at the crossroads, looking for direction, and if we’re not proactively asking where the good way is and walking in it, then by default, we’re following along with what feels good to the flesh.


These decisional crossroads present quite the challenge. But we don't face it alone.

  • God instructs.

  • He guides.

  • His presence goes ahead of us and hems us in from behind.

  • He rewards us for course-correcting and staying the path that leads to freedom.

In a noisy world, our fleshly thoughts contend for dominance. Who will receive our undivided attention? If we’re attuned to Wisdom at the start of our day, let's ask God to hold our attention at every crossroad we encounter as the hours go by.


Points to Ponder

  • How do you discern among the voices that call to you where the path of decisions meet?

  • When have you attuned well and taken the right path? What was the result?

  • When have you fallen for Folly's advice, and what did you learn as a result?


Thanks for reading!

If you were inspired by today's post and know others who would enjoy it, I'd be super grateful if you'd share.

Fresh NEW format and lower print price!

Perfect for those who want a breezy but soul-stirring message to jump start their day.


Until next time,



FELKINS FICTION

A Steel Rose* Book 3 in a multi-author project set in the fictional town of Wild Rose Ridge. Available in paperback and ebook HERE. Check out all the titles in this contemporary romance series!

Come meet the other authors and get in on updates on upcoming releases at our Wild Rose Ridge Readers 🌹 Facebook group.

Book 1, Love in Laurelton Series

Sometimes love made promises it couldn't keep. Two crisis-driven careers who answer emergency calls for service. But can they answer the call to love?


✏️ This I Promise You (Gardenia Press)

Prequel, The Heart of Moreland Manor series.

Bonus: Discussion questions and an exclusive recipe!

What if finding your heart's desire means entrusting it ... just once more ... to the one who broke it?

FREE ebook download for newsletters subscribers!

Book #1, The Heart of Moreland Manor series.

What if you didn't want your inheritance but it led to your greatest dream?


Book #2, The Heart of Moreland Manor series.

What if your greatest dream was realized in letting it go?










Related Posts

See All

SSU. Suffering State University*

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,...

Days Without Power

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened to … his incomparably great power for us who believe. [Ephesians 1:18-19] A...

Overwhelmed by Love

You have searched me and you know me … you are familiar with all my ways. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to attain. Psalm 139:1,...

9 Comments


Nancy Werner
Nancy Werner
Jul 19, 2023

Thank you for writing the book "What the Morning Brings: 52 Inspirational Story-Style Devotions" I just started this morning reading it. I just needed to hear today that God is always near to us when we sometimes forget Him. I just found out yesterday that my cancer came back and I will be starting chemo next Tuesday the 25th. I just needed to that God is ALWAYS near us and looking out for us. God is Great All the Time.

Like
Mary A. Felkins
Mary A. Felkins
Jul 19, 2023
Replying to

Dear Nancy, I am humbled by the love of the Lord to lead you to my devotional. He definitely wanted you assure you of his faithful presence. I am honored to pray for you. Jeremiah 30:17 says, "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord. Thanks for sharing your heart today!

Like

Katherine Pasour
Katherine Pasour
Jul 13, 2023

Great minds think alike...we both were inspired by Wizard of Oz lessons this week. I'm so thankful we have our wise and loving Father to guide us at the multiple crossroads we experience in life. I'm especially thankful for His intervention when I take the wrong path and He rescues me. Thank you for this inspiring message, Mary.

Like
Mary A. Felkins
Mary A. Felkins
Jul 14, 2023
Replying to

I noticed the Wiz of Oz mention in your post too, Katherine! As to God's willingness to intervene and rescue, to call us from the wrong places we've wandered, I am very grateful.

Like

mia.eomurian
Jul 12, 2023

I love the image of Dorothy on her way to Oz. That ties in with my daily devotional this week on the Good Shepherd, who not only guides us and leads us on paths of righteousness, He also goes before us since He knows the way.

Like
Mary A. Felkins
Mary A. Felkins
Jul 13, 2023
Replying to

Yes, he is most assuredly our very good and capable Shepherd. Amen!!

Like

J.D. Wininger
J.D. Wininger
Jul 12, 2023

First question first. "How do I discern among the many voices?" Great question to ask Ms. Mary. For me, I've learned to always apply the word "ALWAYS" to the question. That single word reminds me to look at the counsel, advice, direction, or guidance from two directions. If it always points to God and aligns with His Word, then it's of Him. If it points away from God and does not align with His Word, then it is not of God. Admittedly, it's difficult to tell sometimes as Satan is a master deceiver and can appear as an angel of light (I read that somewhere :-) ), but if you pray and ask God's guidance rather than "trusting your instincts"…

Like
J.D. Wininger
J.D. Wininger
Jul 12, 2023
Replying to

You know my vote, but it's a purely selfish one my friend.

Like
bottom of page