“Thus says the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk in it.” (Jer 6:16) Ahhh… That sometimes elusive “good way” - the one that gives me rest. Why does it give us rest? How does it give us rest? That “good way” is proven. It is God’s way which He has embedded in His word and in the things He has created. When we resist that way, we resist God and that will wear you out!

There is rest, even in the midst of exhaustive labor, if the labor is a labor of love and if the end result is something “good”. Doing things well carries with it a deep sense of satisfaction and that satisfaction is carried over to our customers. If you’ve ever owned a car that needed a lot of repair and then one day graduated to a quality automobile, you no doubt entered into rest. You stepped into the fruit of the manufacturer’s labor and if their labor sprung from the “good way”, you likely experienced rest for your soul.

That’s what I want my customers to experience. That’s what I want your customers to experience: Rest for their soul. And when they do, they will spread the word and become loyal, supportive customers. 

Far too many are paralyzed by “not knowing” and the end result is often missed opportunity. One respondent to the blog pointed out, “it is through faith AND PATIENCE that we inherit the promises”. (Heb 6:12) Absolutely correct! Another one pointed out the need to wait on God. Again… absolutely correct! Most of us lack the patience to wait on God and as a result, we head into battle without knowing the strategy and we get whooped!

However, I want you to consider Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14: “And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint on the LORD to save by many or by few.” Here he is considering attacking a garrison of enemy soldiers with only an armor bearer at his side. There was a lot at stake here.

They needed God’s wisdom. Though many would argue against two guys with one weapon attacking an enemy garrison, Jonathan wanted God’s perspective. He had an immense trust in God and decided that once he revealed himself to the enemy, if the enemy dared them to attack, they would; but if not, they wouldn’t.  Jonathan actually believed that God would answer him that way and bet his life on it. When the other Hebrews who were cowering in holes saw his faith and his courage, they joined him in the battle and the enemy was routed! Sometimes, my friends, your faith and courage is desperately needed by others to turn the tide for good. It is possible to over deliberate. Selah.