“Spiritual Renewal” can be summed up in this verse: “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

It’s a great verse, right? 

At Olivet, a statue has been commissioned (and paid for by a donor) to be placed in the quad looking toward the chapel. At the base of the statue will be the words from Jeremiah 6:16. The point being made: Olivet’s students are at a crossroads, if they look toward Jesus and walk in the Jesus way, they will discover peace and rest for their souls, hearts and lives. It’s a wonderfully hopeful verse.

The first part of that verse, that is.

I didn’t put the rest of the verse 16 in the quote above. I’m pretty sure Olivet isn’t sticking it on the statue either. The last part of the verse is not inspiring. It’s heartbreaking. It reads: But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

In other words…
But you said, “Thanks but no thanks.”
But you said. “I’m doing it my way.” (Frank Sinatra might have sung it first, but he’s not the last)

It’s Saul “who set up a monument in his own honor.” 1 Samuel 15:12
It’s the rich young ruler who “went away sad because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:22
It’s Demes who “loved this world” and deserted Paul. 2 Timothy 4:10

It’s you and me when we know the way and refuse to walk in it. 
It’s you and me when we need to forgive and we say, “never.”
It’s you and me when we greedily hang on to what “is ours.”
It’s you and me who are instructed to love one another, yet refuse to even talk with one another.
It’s you and me who stubbornly dig in our heals and say, “unless I get my way, Lord, I’m taking my ball and going home.” 

It’s Christian people who find themselves defeated because they knew the good way, but didn’t walk in it and instead of rest, they find turmoil in their souls. Don’t be that person.

You know the good way, walk in it and you will find rest for your souls.