Look for the Ancient Paths

I went through a very difficult time just after college.  In college, I knew the plan.  I knew the goal, so it was easy enough to navigate the course. When I graduated, I felt at loose ends.  Now what was I supposed to do?  I had a degree, but I began to feel that all those years of school may have been in vain.  I didn’t want to do what that stiff piece of parchment paper said I was qualified to do.  I wanted to travel, to see the world. Surely, there was an opportunity for that.  But, truthfully, I didn’t feel at peace in my heart about taking that direction.  Ultimately, all of the thinking and analyzing and trying to figure it out ended up with me tying myself in mental and emotional knots, and confusion hung about me and paralyzed me.

Thankfully, in the midst of that difficult time, I had the opportunity to visit with my grandfather for a few days.  An old retired preacher/evangelist/missionary, he had dedicated his life to ministry, spent literally hours in the Word and in prayer daily and knew intimately what it was to walk with Christ.  He understood that I was struggling, and one day in particular during that visit, he prayed over me.  I will never forget his prayer.  Such spiritual discernment and confidence, and he prayed with such ease and with authority and power.  When he had finished praying over me, the fog was gone.  The confusion, a tactic of the enemy, had been dispelled. I didn’t have all of the answers, but I had enough clarity to take necessary steps forward…and I did move forward.

Because of his intimate daily walk with the Lord, my grandpa was ready in an instant to do battle in prayer on my behalf.  He recognized the attack of the enemy for what it was.  He was prepared.  How did he prepare?  He walked in the ancient paths, in the good way.  He sought the Lord daily, travailing and laboring in prayer, not being quick to leave the Lord’s Presence, listening for the Almighty’s voice, for the sound of His Spirit.  He soaked in God’s Word every day, studied it, and practiced what it said.  He sought to understand it and to know it deeply.  He longed to walk with the Lord and to know Him.

In the book of Jeremiah, God gives this wisdom to His people:  “…’Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…’” Jeremiah 6:16

Today, if you are standing at the crossroads, look for the ancient paths—not for modern wisdom and advice but that which comes from the Holy and Ancient Word of God.  Do not be quick to leave His Word when you read; do not be quick to come out of your prayer closet.  Let the Holy One of Israel lead you, prepare you, and guide you in the way you should go…in the ancient paths, in the good way.

—Katie Botello