Crossroads Community Church in Norwalk, Ohio is celebrating 10 years of being in their current building. Ten years ago they were at a crossroads-in order to move ahead,hurdles would have to be scaled. Just the financing for such a project is staggering. Then add the careful planning that had to go into the big decisions that were made: location, size, and placement of church and parking lot on the land. After that comes the gazillion (Is that even a word?) other decisions that would have been made starting from the ground up. Just thinking about it overwhelms me! One thing I know for sure: they built the church on a firm foundation. How do I know? It’s still standing.
We all come to a crossroads in our lives where we need to make a decision. Do we want to carry on as we are: in worry, stress, and pain? Or do we want to start building something new with a firm foundation? Jesus is the Rock we should build on. “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” (Isaiah 28:16, NLT) In the storms of life, our ‘house’ will stay standing because God himself watches over it. “The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.” (Psalm 121:5, HCSB) We don’t have to live in a house filled with anxiety; we can live in a house filled with peace. God’s already dropped off the welcome gift on the doorstep. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV) So the only question is: will we pick it up?
Things to do today:
- Accept the peace that God is offering.
- Read a similar blog called ‘Hold Fast to Peace’ and listen to songs ‘Prince of Peace’ and ‘Perfect Peace.’
Sometimes it seems like everyone I know is fighting a battle. Most of the battles are fierce, knock-down, and drawn-out fights. I have a friend who is battling a rare form of cancer, one who is caring for an ailing mother, and another one who is grieving the loss of a parent. Unfortunately, there are so many others who are stressed in one way or another. Within these struggles, we can feel lonely; no one really understands our heartache, our worry, our pain. Sometimes we feel like we are standing alone on the battlefield and the enemy before us is too big. That’s simply not true. We are never going into any battle alone. Ever.
Everyone should have an inner circle of friends. We need people we can be real with: straight up honesty-hold nothing back-no judgment-and total freedom. It’s the trust, support, and love that make these friends so valuable. With life’s schedules it’s challenging to find the time, but the effort spent with a good friend is always worth it. I visited one such friend last night and all we did was sit around a campfire sharing life, giving support, and laughing with abandon. There’s something special about not having to dress up and ‘put on airs,’ to be able to wear those worn jeans and that comfortable t-shirt, and to have no expectations but a simple visit. That kind of friend is valuable.
Have you ever felt like you were in a maze and couldn’t find your way out? I felt that way as I drove to visit friends in Lafayette, Indiana. I came upon Huntington, a city filled with one-way signs, detours around closed bridges, and blocked-off streets. I caught on fast that I was in a labyrinth when the directions took me to the exact place I entered the city. A pedestrian tried to help but soon realized even he was challenged with giving directions because of the many diversions throughout the town. Just when I started wondering if he was about to say, “You can’t get there from here,” he came up with an unexpected plan. He suggested I follow him in his car through the maze of city streets and he’d point me in the right direction. His plan worked perfectly!
“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superwoman!” This is what I’m sure people are saying about me when I ride on the bike trail. (I have no actual data to support this claim. My moderate speed also indicates people may be thinking I am taking a leisurely bike ride. But you never know…) On the trail, you will see dog walkers, joggers, and a variety of serious to leisurely bikers. Tonight while I was riding I came upon an elderly couple walking slowing and gingerly along the path. As I drew near them I said, “I am passing on your left.” The gentleman immediately grabbed his wife’s hand and stepped between her and my bike. There was something about that instant act of protection that moved me. He didn’t hesitate, and in that perfect moment, the older man became her bodyguard.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, a friend of mine had to take her mother to the hospital with serious health concerns. She was fighting fluid around her lungs, extremely low blood pressure, and a serious life-threatening infection. The family rode a roller coaster for days. There were moments when all hope seemed lost and times when they saw slight improvements. Although the crisis was unexpected, the family ran straight to the only One who could help. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” It’s incredible that at this very moment her mom has been moved from the ICU Unit. And thankfully, she plans to be home soon.