Ask for the Ancient Paths

Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about taking a few dirt roads in life. One finds that when driving on dirt roads there are a lot of crossroads. Now, if you are familiar with the upcoming crossroad, you will know which way to turn. However, since very few of the crossroads on dirt roads have sign markers, unfamiliar roads can create some anxiety. You question what direction to go, knowing if you take the wrong turn, you could end up lost.

Imagine you are approaching a spiritual crossroad; not a crossroad about a decision on which job to take, where to live, or any other life question. You find yourself burned out, weary and overwhelmed, needing to care for yourself. Does this crossroad turn toward God or the other direction that will take you far from Him?

If you “ask for the ancient paths” as Jeremiah wrote, you will find yourself on God’s way. This path will go through green pastures as well as dark valleys. On the ancient paths, you will always be assured of God’s companionship for the journey. The other turn is what the world offers. Yes, it can look very attractive and inviting at first but it ends with emptiness and hopelessness. It is a road that may take you where you never intended to go.

Soul care may be a concept new to many but it is as old as the ancient paths. Jesus recognized everyone will eventually get to some crossroads where life is difficult and you find yourself attempting to try this method or that technique simply to find hope, encouragement and rest. What is Soul Care? The best definition I have found is “an adventure of learning to care for your soul for the sake of others.”

Foundationally your soul is all of you; your identity, passions and oneness with God.  David Hansen has a great illustration of the soul. He writes, “the soul is more like a river than a street, more like a forest than a city, more like a wild trout than a laboratory rat.” Hansen’s definition is the imagery of freedom and joy.

So then, what is a person worth? Normally you think in terms of your bank accounts, the size of your home, the type of car you drive, or career accomplishments. However, if you define value in physical terms, 99% of a human being is composed of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus – valued at about $100, depending upon inflation. All of this is worthless unless you remember that the body is simply an address for the soul to reside.

Jesus redefined dignity to those he encountered. The dignity of the soul is found because you are created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), valued to the point of every hair being counted (Matthew 10:30) and so loved that he gave up His only Son (John 3:16).

“When human beings are devalued, everything in society turns sour. Women are humiliated and children despised. The sick are regarded as a nuisance and the elderly as a burden. Ethnic minorities are discriminated against. The poor are oppressed and denied social justice…labor is exploited in the mines and factories. There is no freedom, no dignity, no carefree joy. Human life seems not worth living because it is scarcely human any longer…people matter…because every man, woman, and child has worth and significance as a human being made in God’s image and likeness.” –John Stott

To care for your soul for the sake of others requires time-space–community. Jesus knew the need for time-space-community and lived it. He took time to be with the Father daily, found time to be silent, and got away from the crowd in solitude.

Jesus understood the foundations needed for life when facing a spiritual crossroad. Jesus gave us the priority in which to live. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:37-39

Soul care doesn’t happen overnight. It will require time with God where you can be alone and listening. Soul care will require setting aside a place that becomes your sacred place of worship and reflection. We need the same passion for God that Brother Lawrence wrote about in The Practice of the Presence of God, “It helps little to pray if I do not know the God to whom I pray.”

As you care for your soul, it allows you to care for others, nurture others, become a trusted listener and pray deeply. Soul care is a rhythm where “as we comfort and teach and encourage, we will be comforted, taught and encouraged in turn.” (unknown author)

As you care for yourself and others, you will begin to impact a messy and out-of-control world. “Learn this great lesson: as the sun on a cold day shines on us and imparts its warmth, believe that the living God will work in you with His love and almighty power. God will reveal Himself as life and light and joy and strength to the soul who waits upon Him.”—Andrew Murray

Jesus offers an invitation to you to walk the ancient paths. Care for your soul, for the sake of others. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” –Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

God is great,