The Crossroad

A crossroad is a road that intersects another road. Better yet, it’s when one way of life intersects with another.

You cannot plan for crossroads. Not this kind, anyway.

They usually come when you least expect them; when you have the most to lose; and they usually decide the legacy you’ll leave behind.

This kind of crossroad, “The Crossroad,” is hard to miss. Don’t worry, you’ll know when you come to it because it will be a life-altering decision, a defining moment. You’ll only be allowed to go left or right; moving forward in the same direction will not be an option.

• David’s defining moment was killing Goliath.

• Esther’s defining moment was standing up for her people.

• Moses’ defining moment was killing an Egyptian.

• Ruth’s defining moment was choosing Naomi.

• Rahab’s defining moment was hiding the Israelites.

All of these people were living one way of life, when one choice changed everything. Who they were, what they did – none of it seemed to have a greater purpose beyond their current understanding.

But...

• God used David’s skills as a shepherd to kill a giant.

• God used Esther’s beauty to charm a king.

• God used Moses’ moment of anger to fuel a reformation.

• God used Ruth’s devotion to redeem her.

• God used Rahab’s resourcefulness to save a nation.

Your current skill set is not wasted; it does and will have purpose in God’s plan.

Maybe you’re like David, and you know what you’re meant to be. But perhaps you’re like Ruth, and your destiny is very unclear.

Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”

The good news is, God looks at you and sees the end from the beginning. It’s the in-between part we usually have issues with.

The transition is hard for us to understand. And you can’t understand the transition until you reach your purpose, and you can’t reach your purpose without the transition.

The things we look at and think are menial and don’t matter, that’s probably what God wants to use.

David was a shepherd meant to be a king, but he was playing music for the king.

Esther was a Jewish girl meant to save her people, but she was hiding her identity as a Persian Queen.

Moses was an Israelite meant to deliver his people, but he lived in an Egyptian palace.

Ruth was a childless widow who was meant to be part of the lineage of Christ, but she was a Moabite.

Rahab was meant to take part in saving Israel, but she had a horrible reputation.

What God wants to use to propel you forward will oftentimes be the very thing the devil wants to use to hold you back.

No doubt David thought at least once that he couldn’t be a king; he’s just a shepherd.

Esther, at some point, had to process the concept of becoming the Persian Queen, as being a Jew was close to impossible, if not perfect insanity.

Surely Moses struggled with how to save his people while walking the hallways of the Egyptian palace as its prince.

And Ruth – how could she be worth anything as a childless widow?

Have you ever wondered if Rahab cared what people thought of her because she was a prostitute?

We all come from somewhere. We all have something that is designed by this fallen world to hold us back and keep us from fulfilling our destiny that has been predestined by God. But it is up to us to challenge the chains that bind us to the world and reach for the Breaker of Chains that frees us to be all that we weren’t to be.

When you reach this crossroad, you will know the correct road to take if you have the Holy Spirit to guide you. And this decision, this crossroad, becomes the launching pad; it is where your story accelerates to such a degree that you can no longer control, well, anything.

David didn’t know killing Goliath would launch him into popularity.

Esther didn’t know if standing up for her people would get her killed by her husband.

Moses didn’t know that killing the Egyptian would one day lead him to a burning bush.

Ruth didn’t know that choosing to follow Naomi would bring about her redemption.

Rahab didn’t know that hiding the Israelites would deliver her.

Yet each one of the chosen roads only accelerated the individuals, and they went on to fulfill the purpose God had for them.

But not everyone makes the right decision at this crossroads, and usually it is very costly.

Eve’s defining moment was eating the apple.

Adam’s defining moment was choosing to partake of the fruit with Eve rather than obey God.

King Saul’s defining moment was not killing the Amalekite king as God had instructed.

Esau’s defining moment was selling his birthright.

The defining moment of the ten Israelites was when they said the giants in the promised land were too big.

Every single wrong decision is backed by fear.

Eve is the OG of FOMO; she feared missing out.

Adam feared losing Eve.

King Saul feared what his men would think.

Esau feared starvation.

The Ten Israelites feared death.

Fear will keep you where you are; fear will take you down the road that leads you the farthest away from your purpose.

And yes, one person’s choice does make a difference because where would we be if Eve had chosen a different road? If Adam had made a different choice?

It doesn’t matter if you’re anointed by a priest to be king or if you’re a whore trying to turn your life around; the right decision at The Crossroad matters.

Choose wisely.

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