Standing at the Crossroads – Following Jesus from the Edges –

Following Jesus from the Edges

Standing at the Crossroads

Pastor Calvin Cook

June 29, 2026

I’m not even sure if I know where to begin this morning.

My heart and mind is racing in so many directions and early morning sleep has turned into listening, guidance and focus that which is of God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Not just the parts of God that resonate on most days with me but the whole God – full of glory, splendor, excellence, and the only true hope to cling to.

It all started a few weeks ago when in my morning scripture reading – the words that I had flipped to in Jeremiah 6 suddenly enveloped me and has guided me to a place of consideration in every event and everything that I have been focusing on –

“This is what the Lord says: ‘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.’ But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” — Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

There are moments in every life when we come to a crossroads.

Recently I have been at the crossroads of change which has contributed to some very personal prayerful reflection of a couple different events and processes, even reconciliation that I am navigating through.

Here are a few of these:

Several weeks ago I was asked to assume the role of Presiding Elder for our circuit. Not going into detail but it carries responsibility of providing care and missional and ministry direction for the churches within a circuit. I believed at first I was so unqualified for this position, didn’t have the right letters behind my name, and the question of how much more time to have for anything additional. But the words of affirmation from family, friends, colleagues, even those unknown other than knowing my name on a paper brought forth a remembrance that God doesn’t always call the qualified but qualifies the called.  For you please be open to what God is calling you to or back to, it becomes life giving and satisfying to rest for your soul.

Second thing I am pondering – are complaints against my ministry and who I am and how I am attempting to live out what I am feeling as a call upon my life. There is so much I could say in this place. But instead of harboring resentment – knowing I will face those who do not agree with me. Whether that be a personal opinion or something lacking in their own life and it is easier to find fault with someone else rather than address their own situations and sins, I move to the Jesus way. At the end of the day I am working my hardest to be a follower of Jesus , to share Jesus with a world in need of hearing the gospel message, and being in a place where I need not seek resolution for something that the Holy Spirit led me to and holds me accountable when I fail to follow. For you – seek God with all your heart, mind, and soul with a love that is eternal and true and care less of the opinion of humans. Pity them, Pray for them, but don’t allow them to steal your joy !

Thirdly – the Allegheny West Conference of the Global Methodist Church just had their Annual Conference. I am changed, fired up, and hopeful of what God is doing in this region and throughout the world for the sake of the Gospel. I would encourage you to know if you are in the right place with the right tribe for this season of your life. I now pray that what we have received as the local church(s) to not allow it to stop. Continuing with the work right where we are that God is clearly calling us to. For you – Go inward, upward, and outward in your faith it will be life changing for you and for those around you or who you come in contact with.

Thinking once again on those crossroads are obvious—a new job, a move, a relationship, a calling into ministry. Other times they are much quieter. We find ourselves asking, What is God asking of me now? Am I where He wants me to be?

As I have been reflecting on this passage of scripture from Jeremiah, I was reminded that God doesn’t simply tell His people to choose any road. He invites them to stop. To look. To ask. To seek the ancient paths—the timeless ways of trusting, obeying, and walking with Him.

I wonder how many times God has called people to something greater than they could imagine, only to have them settle for what was familiar or comfortable.

From scripture: Abram could have stayed in Ur. Moses could have remained a shepherd. Peter could have returned to fishing. Each stood at a crossroads where following God required faith, surrender, and courage. Yet each discovered that God’s path, though often difficult, always led to something far greater than they could have planned for themselves.

The same is true for us.

God still calls people today. We are called into deeper faith, stronger families, healthier churches, transformed communities, and lives that bring glory to Him. Too often we capitalize on our own plans instead of God’s invitation. We cling to comfort, security, or fear of the unknown, missing the incredible future He desires to unfold before us.

The beautiful promise of Jeremiah is not merely that God’s way is right—it is that His way leads to rest for our souls. The rest we long for is not found by avoiding God’s call but by embracing it. There is a peace that comes from knowing we are exactly where God has called us to be, doing exactly what He has asked us to do.

Today, perhaps God is asking you to pause at a crossroads.

Take time to look. Ask Him to reveal the good way. Then, with faith, walk in it. You may discover that what seemed like a difficult step of obedience becomes the very place where God unfolds something greater than you ever imagined—and where your soul finally finds rest.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to recognize the crossroads You place before me. Give me the courage to seek Your ancient paths instead of following the easy road. Lead me into the place You have prepared for me, and may I find true rest as I faithfully walk with You. Amen.