Sitting at the Crossroads of Life
Commentary: Sitting at the Crossroads of Life
By Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator
Have you ever found yourself sitting at a crossroad in life, wondering what to do? You know you can’t just sit there. You need to make a decision. Does your life’s path require you to continue in the direction you are traveling? Maybe you need a clear change in your circumstances and need to consider turning left or right. Or, are you so far away from your starting point, that returning to the familiar might be the best option. These crossroads in life can take many forms and cause us to struggle. Fear, sadness, anger and grief begin to creep into our lives. And, when these emotions begin to take over, we lose sight of our destination or the path to it.
Margaret Benefiel states In her book, Crisis Leadership, that it is at this point we should “sit still long enough and be quiet” and allow God to do amazing things around us. Resist the urge to forge ahead under the assumption that the road we are on must lead us somewhere. Instead of “leaning forward into anxious action,” she suggests we lean back into God. Perhaps this suggestion is akin to pulling off at a roadside rest stop and stretching our legs or reclining our seat and resting our eyes.
Psalm 46 tells us to do exactly this. “Be still and know that I am God.” Commentary explains this doesn’t mean we should just stop and never move. It urges us to temporarily stop to recognize the situation in which we find ourselves and understand that we serve a great God who is capable of directing us if we only place our focus on Him.
Benefiel refers to this temporary pause in our travels as liminal space. She suggests this space is a “holding environment for gestation” where you can spend time between the old and new, searching for the right pathway or passage to travel. While there, Benefiel encourages us to spend our time observing the bigger picture, diving deeper into prayer, and discerning in what direction we should go from that crossroads. Being in this space allows us to rejuvenate ourselves and develop an alertness that can keep us from missing opportunities.
Have you ever been so absorbed in the music playing in your car or the conversation you are having with a passenger, that you miss your turn or exit? In life, we sometimes get so wrapped up in what’s happening around us, we lose sight of where we should be going. And, it is at these times Benefiel says we should be alert and open to where God might be leading us. Look for those whom He is using to guide our path. Be aware of the unexpected signs that will send us from this crossroad back on to the path we need to travel to find our way.
For those of you who are like me, it may be an uncomfortable situation to be in. We plan and organize the trip. We make sure every detail has been addressed. Of course, we know life can send us detours that prolong our ability to arrive at the planned destination. Benefiel relates that, in these detours, it can be advantageous to follow the advice of Winston Churchill who said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Use the seemingly bad situation to find opportunity. Perhaps it is an opportunity to take the country road instead of the major highway. You might find this new path filled with stunning views that provide you with a fresh perspective.
Whatever crossroads you may find yourself sitting in, know that God is already miles ahead of you clearing the path. Whether you are in a season of change such as changing jobs, experiencing an empty nest, or contemplating retirement, understand He is with you. Find comfort in the expression of Psalm 46 that God has promised to be with us and be our “refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” if we just pull over and let Him.
