CROSSFIRE
When you hit the crossroads in life
By Herman Githinji
Now I am old enough not to take life so seriously . Yeah , yeah , I know you would expect the older I get , the more I should take life seriously . But it may be odd that I feel different . Especially during and after this pandemic , we need time to reflect and ask hard questions about how we view life .
At times , we are full of energy and purpose , and other times we are down , and life seems to halt completely . And suddenly , you realize you are at a crossroads , or like we have detoured . We are taking that wrong turn and making us waste time before getting back on track . Even when you ’ re on the right way , life will someday take you to a crossroads .
There is a difference between when you are lost and when you don ’ t know where to go . Both are common in that you know where you are coming from but are unsure where you are going . When lost , you possibly don ’ t even have a clue of the direction you need to take . But at the crossroads , you ’ re just not sure which of the road ahead of you to take .
So , in our life and career journeys , we sure reach these crossroads . And the decision you make at that point may determine whether you will get to your destiny or how easy or seamless the rest of your journey will be .
When I left Kenya for Australia in 2013 , I found myself without the zest and energy to pursue my career and life goals . I felt like an impatient Israelite wandering in the desert around Sinai . I wasn ’ t sure if I wanted to be employed or to set up a business .
I could see many options but was not determined and focused on anyone of them . I didn ’ t feel lost , but I lacked the determination to gather myself and resolutely move on . I got stuck there for more than a year , not able to re-focus or re-ignite my energies . The point is when you find yourself at the crossroads , what do you do to get back on the right path ?
When at crossroads , it is critical to be aware that you are there . You need to know that you are in a dilemma and need to make a decision quickly . In Australia , I did nothing , and that ’ s why I stayed at crossroads for so long . My method of moving forward was simple ; stand in there until something naturally happens . The door that opens without me forcing is
“ When you face a patch in life that makes you feel helpless in harnessing and commanding your will and energy to progress , don ’ t give up or wander in that wilderness for long . Just stand , look , and ask for the old way that has been tried and tested ; walk in it boldly with a unified mind and soul . And you will indeed find rest .” the one I will walk through . Later , after three years , an opportunity to come back to Kenya naturally opened up , and I gladly marched in . I do not know if I made the right decision , and life is not always that fair on giving immediate feedback .
Many people cannot locate themselves anymore after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic . When we are at that crossroads , what tools do we use to navigate forward ? You may pick the “ any door that opens I walk in ” method , or you may be those who force the door that you think is the right one to open . Or you may fold or sit on your hands and give up . How we react and where we get our navigation tools from determines how long you stay at the crossroads and the direction you ultimately take going forward .
I am sure you will find it strange that even the Lord knew that we will always in our lives find ourselves in crossroads . And so he offered some solutions in Jeremiah 6:16 . When you are at a crossroads , first , stand there and look . We make a mistake by walking or pursuing the course when we already know we are unsure of the right direction . The Bible says we should stand . And that means we shouldn ’ t be sitting either . After we stand , we should look . We need to see what options are available . What can we see ? How many roads are there , and where are they heading ? We need to stop and use our eyes first . Observe .
The next step of action when we are at the crossroads , according to the Bible , is to ask for the ancient paths . Ask where the good way is .
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MAL 45 / 21 ISSUE