FocusOnTheFamily

Crossroads and new beginnings

Written by Stephen Johnson

The beginning of the new year is still four months and a winter away, and yet for many of us, September has a new-beginning feel to it. For me, autumn is a time to stand at the crossroads of fresh starts ahead and reflections from behind; a time of thanksgiving for the past and hope for the future.

Having been through many changes in my life this year, it’s my surety, comfort and peace that the Lord continues to remain constant and reign supreme.

This time last year, I stood at a crossroads. As a pastor, I had reminded my church family time and again that I would never plan a change, but I would always be prepared for one that God might initiate. And so He did; He called me to Focus on the Family Canada.

Waiting for God to initiate is not only a hard thing to do but is often seen as a weak thing to do. We talk a good talk about waiting, but then we often plough ahead, acting as though the adage “God helps those who help themselves” were a Scripture verse*. We might stop at the crossroads to ask the Lord for direction, but being accustomed to our “drive-through” culture – from meals to banking – we don’t like to wait very long.

The next time you stand at a crossroads, I encourage you to truly “wait” on the Lord. That’s not to say I’m promoting laziness or lack of purpose. What I’m talking about is spending less time in planning and more time in preparation. Isaiah 30:1 warns us about carrying out plans that are not the Lord’s. Instead, he indicates that God’s will for us is repentance and rest; that in quietness and trust is our strength (Isaiah 30:15).

Lots of people are busy planning and trying to do great things for God (whether He asked them to do those things or not). But how much more effective would we be if we were busy preparing – waiting at the crossroads – for God to come and do His great things through us.

*This saying is originally from Poor Richard’s Almanack by Benjamin Franklin.

Stephen Johnson is the regional director for Focus on the Family Canada in southwestern Ontario. He is married to Beverly, and they are the parents of four children.

© 2008 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved.