The Fork in the Road — O, Beloved!

Sometimes we have to “step over” our anger, our jealousy, or our feelings of rejection and move on. The temptation is to get stuck in our negative emotions, poking around in them as if we belong there. Then we become the “offended one,” “the forgotten one,” or the “discarded one.” Yes, we can get attached to these negative identities and even take morbid pleasure in them. It might be good to have a look at these dark feelings and explore where they come from, but there comes a moment to step over them, leave them behind and travel on.

– Stepping over Our Wounds - January 9th - Bread for the Journey (Nouwen)

Well, well, well…what do we have here? (said with some surprise, and a tad bit of reluctance, mixed with angst)

Oh, you again. (deep breath)

I know you.

Take your pick: rejection, jealousy, fear…

They will come, beloved. All of them. Some, will even have the nerve to kick you, scratch at you, and bite you while you’re already down and vulnerable.

At times, they’ll taunt you, provoke you, and even laugh at you. They’ll question you, and prod you for answers.

Sometimes, if you’re quick on the draw, or if you have an ounce of reserve left to your wit, you’ll be able to muster up some kind of response.

Sometimes, by the grace of God, your pride will already be deflated and you’ll, relieved, let the Holy Spirit do His mighty work on your behalf.

But, other times, you’ll crumble. You’ll start doubting. You’ll begin to wonder. You’ll…pause, confounded, confused, afraid.

And, beloved? You have a choice. A very, very, very important choice to make.
Slow down, take a deep breath, and say a prayer. You cannot do this alone. Not without Him guiding you.

You’re at a fork in the road, O my soul. You must choose which way you’ll go. Choose wisely, beloved. Tread carefully, deliberately. This is no time for haphazard foolishness.

Let God’s truth prevail. Every. single. one. of these forces of evil are riddled with lies, beloved. You must determine which thoughts you’ll believe to be true.

You’ve had these thoughts before. You’ve been tried and tested. Do you remember? Where did the lies take you? Did they set you free? Or, did they lead to destruction? Aye, destruction. (said solemnly)

And, where did God’s truth take you? It delivered you, yes? Yes.

When you test His promises…try them on for size, lean upon them…do they hold? Are they able to deliver? Yes.

O, beloved! (said gently) Don’t despair! Don’t lose hope! Don’t dilly-dally in this!

Don’t let these lies deceive you. Don’t let them take you off course. Not this time.

This time, no such turmoil will succeed. No sir. With God’s grace, may it rather serve to strengthen and embolden your faith! Yes. This will be yet one more proven victory of God’s faithfulness and His will reigning supreme!

Choose truth, beloved. Do not entertain these deceptions. They will fizzle out and fade without fuel. They will be proven as fraudulent when Light, one Day, comes to make ALL things visible.

Come! said Jesus’ sacred voice,
Come, and make my paths your choice,
Weary pilgrim, hither come!

Thou, who, houseless, sole, forlorn,
Long hast born the proud world’s scorn,
Long hast roamed the barren waste,
Weary pilgrim, hither haste!

Ye, who tossed on beds of pain,
Seek for ease, but seek in vain;
Ye, whose swollen and sleepless eyes
Watch to see the morning rise.

Ye, by fiercer anguish torn,
In remorse for guilt who mourn;
Here repose your heavy care!
Conscience wounded who can bear?

Sinner, come! for here is found
Balm that flows for every wound;
Peace that ever shall endure;
Rest eternal, sacred, sure.

– Mrs. Barbauld (1825)