“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18 NASB

When Dan gave me the title for this newsletter, I barely had time to digest it, when, while reading an article from a British news site, a pop up appeared on my phone saying: ‘America is at a crossroads.’ I immediately copied it and forwarded it to Dan who was blown away by this quick confirmation. The entire sentence read, “America is at a crossroads, and it’s direction in the coming months will define the country for a generation.” The truth of these words struck us and made us stop and ponder. Sobering words coming from our friends, allies, and neighbors. Truth be told, our friends and allies the world over are very worried about us. The good news is that they are also praying for us. Fervently.

I began to look at this word, ‘crossroads.’ Here are some of the things I found:
*A point at which a crucial decision must be made that will have far reaching consequences.
*A critical juncture.

I do not believe for one moment that the crossroads the Lord is speaking about is political, not for those who call themselves by His name. Jesus never condescended to the guiles of the Pharisees who always tried to trap Him into political statements. He refused to enter that discussion at their level, rather always answering with KINGDOM answers. He did not speak of Empire. He spoke of Kingdom. The Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Heaven.

Succinctly He said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” He also said, “The Kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU.”

The Pharisees tried to get Jesus to speak against the Roman occupation. He refused. When they asked Him about paying taxes, He used a coin to show how separate His Kingdom was from that of the earth. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s” The image on the coin showed to whom it belonged, and if WE carry the image of God in our hearts, then our hearts belong to God. Jesus would not deign to enter their nationalism. It was beneath Him. He knew that before the foundations of the earth, Christ died for sinners. ALL sinners. Not just Jewish sinners. All. Jesus is the hope of EVERY nation.

We who follow this Master, this Lord, this Savior, we definitely are at a crossroads. The way of the cross! To die to ourselves, put the needs of others above our own, love as if our lives depended on it.

~ Debbie Ecker