No Shortcuts

This 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

This verse reminds me of the "bread decision". Since forever people have been eating bread. It is an important part of so many cultural diets. Here in Belize, Central America we eat Creole bread, bun (a sweet bread), tortillas, and johnny cakes. The women wake up at 5:30 in the morning, when the sun is rising and begin to prepare the dough. When all the ingredients have been added and mixed together, they knead the dough and then cover it with a cloth to let it rest. Later they return, knead again and then shape it and put it in the oven. It bakes for a while, depending on the type of bread, giving off a most flavorful aroma. Creole bread is my favorite. It is made in a small loaf and a slice spread with mango jam is heavenly! Especially when Mrs. Kathlees from the other side of the village makes it. It melts in your mouth! Mrs. Kathleen is in her late seventies and has been making Creole bread since she was a small girl. She hasn't changed the process or the ingredients although the baking is done in a gas oven now, instead of over a wood fire. On the other hand, I will send someone to the shop for some pack bread to make some sandwiches for lunch. Usually by the time it gets to my house, it is a little squished, but mostly recognizable. Mango jam on pack bread satisfies my hunger somewhat, but not the way homemade bread does. However, pack bread is quick and easy. It is in the shop - already made, sliced and packaged for my convenience. It also has preservatives to make it last longer in my house. It requires a minimal amount of time or energy on my part.
Walking in the ancient paths doesn't mean just doing it the old fashioned way. It means doing it God's way and He never changes. It is the same old ingredients: salvation, obedience, humility. No additives or extra preservatives. Of course, we all like different ways of eating our bread - cheese, jam, butter or honey. The same way we all may worship differently - hymns, worship songs, drama and dance, lifting our hands or quiet reverence. But that's not a problem. It's how we travel this path ourselves. Are we following the ancient path, the one that leads to godly character and is of a flavor and substance that pleases God? Or have we taken the wrong crossroad and opted for the pack bread - quick and easy, full of extra additives that leads to a life that is uncommitted and shallow, full of compromise. This is a life that doesn't please God and doesn't please you either. We find rest for our souls when we take the ancient path and build a godly life with God's principals and no easy shortcuts.