“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.’” –Jeremiah 6:16
In searching through the old, I find something new. And so I went there yesterday . . . to the Cotton Exchange and Livery in downtown Fayetteville in search of my new.
I love old things, vintage items that date me by a few years. Linens, glassware, trunks, and clothing. Standing amongst them, I travel through time, taking a step backward, a step inward to feel what it must have been like to first wear that shawl, hold that hankie, or cook with that iron skillet. Immersed in all things vintage, I pay respect to the generation that first embraced the newness of these treasures. Used and preserved over the years, they’ve outlived the people they first served. They now serve as a witness to the lives lived before me. What stories they tell me . . . mostly imagined, yet relevant for me in the search for my new!
The story that comes before me is the anchor that writes the story now in me and the story that will follow after me. I need to visit the old, to rediscover my roots so that I might move ahead with understanding. So that I might find rest for my soul.
As it goes with my search for all things vintage, so it goes with my faith. To move forward requires a pause at the crossroads, a deeper immersion in the culture and times of my spiritual ancestors. Being with them in their history via the lens of Scripture is like finding a compass for the road ahead. Living with their old brings new perspective into my right now. Antiquity isn’t wasted when it comes to faith. Antiquity enhances faith. That which once was still is. Faith lives on, above extinction.
And so I go in search for the old, because that which is new is not always that which is best for my soul. Old things, ancient treasures, and a faith that lives in antiquity, this is where newness of heart and life can be found. With Abel and Enoch. Noah and Abraham. Isaac and Jacob. Moses and David. Gideon. Rahab. Samuel and Daniel. Jeremiah, Isaiah, and the prophets of old. John the Revelator and John the Baptizer. Peter. Paul. Mary and Martha. Stephen. Timothy. Elizabeth and Zechariah. Sarah. Ruth. Esther. And Jesus . . . always Jesus.
Yes, this is where I will stand, in the middle of their stories and then some. In doing so, I find my anchor and my rest. And that which is very old becomes new breath to my aging flesh. I breathe in the smell of an ancient faith, and I am revived.
The story that comes before me is the anchor that writes the story now in me and the story that will follow after me. Faith lives on, and by God’s grace, it lives on in me. Perhaps there will be day in the years to come when a future generation will take hold of something I have said or something I have done, that will thread them back to the heart of Jesus. I cannot imagine what that would be, but today I’m challenged to believe that there really could be . . .
A faith in me that survives extinction. A faith that serves the kingdom long after I’ve made the journey home to Canaan. Who will wear this shawl of faith that now cradles my shoulders? Who will see it as treasure, pay the asking price, and preserve it forward?
Old to new. New to old. The cycle of faith that never dies. Only lives.
Find yourself there, and find rest for your souls. I’ll meet you at the crossroads. As always . . .
Peace for the journey,
As always, Elaine, so beautifully said. It seems so many think His Word is no longer relevant. I recently read a comment by someone I assumed to be a young girl, given her tone. She was angry that ‘old people’ would use ‘some old book’ to try to force ideas on people today. It disturbed me more than I realized at the time…to think that these precious words are now nothing by ‘some old book’ to some. Oh! What they are missing! What they are missing.
Looking forward to reading your work later this evening. Off to the homeschool store for an event.
“Yes.” And “Yes.. And again I say, “Yes”. (Makes me think of Paul celebrating Timothy’s faith that dwelt first in his mother, and before that in his GRANDmother…)
It’s eternal . . . this faith of ours. Every seed that we plant today is growing in the soil of someone’s heart. We cannot begin to trace that ripple effect. We can only believe that it exists. Some day we will see it all from a better vantage point, and we’ll be amazed.
Yet another way in which you and I are similar…I could spend hours in The Cotton Exchange and The Livery Antiques stores. (Probably because everything’s old and vintage, like me.) Next time I visit, you can take me to both!
Your post are always such a blessing to me. This is my desire, too:
“The story that comes before me is the anchor that writes the story now in me and the story that will follow after me. Faith lives on, and by God’s grace, it lives on in me. Perhaps there will be day in the years to come when a future generation will take hold of something I have said or something I have done, that will thread them back to the heart of Jesus.”
Love you, sweet friend!
Love that verse of scripture, Elaine. I’m so glad that the Father invites us to follow him. No real rest until we do that, huh?
Creation and God’s word was the beginning of our perspective on antiquity. Without them, there would be no road maps, showing us where and how we need to go, or the ability to ask Him for help getting us there.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
I’m directionally challenged, Brenda. The Bible is my GPS. Destination? Home . . . heaven. So glad we’re going to end up in the same place. I can’t wait to see you face-to-face.
‘Perhaps there will be day in the years to come when a future generation will take hold of something I have said or something I have done, that will thread them back to the heart of Jesus.’
I wonder if Rahab or Ruth or Bathsheba thought this same thought. We never know what the Lord will do with our lives. We have no way to see the legacy we leave. We simply must be faithful to walk out our lives one day at a time holding Jesus hand.
Great post, my friend.
I thought a lot about your Bible Study, “From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest”, while writing this, Leah. And I thought a great deal about Hebrews and your Monday studies on this wonderful book of the Bible. You’re a faith girl, and I loved your question about the bad girls of the Bible. Not sure if they ever thought about their legacy, but I like thinking about it.
Like you, I find value in old things too. And I never lose sight of the truth that in me lives a bit of my mother and my father… and a bit of my grandmothers and my grandfathers. I am a product of my ancestors’ past choices – some of which were really good choices, fortunately.
And in that lies my comfort. I know that the choices I make today will impact my future generations. That is why I just can’t listen to Sarah Groves song Generations without shedding a tear or two… “to my dear dear grand daughter, live in peace…”
What a gem this post is, dear Elaine. Your shawl of wisdom and peace will be proudly worn by your daughter and grand daughters someday, that’s for sure.
Much love
Lidia
You do a good job of living your legacy, friend. You are very intentional about passing along your faith to your family. Thank you for the example you set for them and for me. I love you dearly.
Value in the old, amen.
Amen, indeed! There is value to be found in the old, sister. I’m not washed up . . . I’m vintage. Now there’s a label I can wear. Blessings.
I loved this. Thank you once again for sharing your heart so beautifully in a way that lifts mine.
You always lift my spirits, Cindy. Thank you for being here.
“The story that comes before me is the anchor that writes the story now in me and the story that will follow after me.”
I love how you expressed this…without “anchors” we would just drift away…and the story would end…
The stories passed down from generations with a rich heritage of pointing the way to the one true Anchor of our souls is a blessing I am thankful for every day….this shawl of faith is priceless indeed…
Aimless drifting . . . I’ve done my fair share in recent weeks. Thank God for the anchor that always hauls my weakened faith back on track and in the right and good direction!
I am often hard on myself for not speaking up about my faith. I want to bring comfort and hope when needed but my mouth remains shut. I go away frustrated with myself and feel like I let my Lord down in not sharing the goodness about Him.
Yesterday I was with a dear friend who does not personally know my Lord. As she was in minor surgery, I asked God to be with her and that He might visit her. What came to my mind was He is visiting her through me; I am His representation and ambassador.
I often wonder about my legacy. Do I reflect my highest love, that of Jesus Christ and my gratitude of Him crucified? Have I made an impression on my children? On my family? With my friends? If I was to die, what would they remember of my life?
My faith is not “new”; my faith is that of the ancients. It is centuries deep and time tested. I must trust that which is proven down through the ages and rest in that which has been exemplified by the saints of old. My faith is not “trendy”, nor is my faith post-modern. As you say, Elaine, it is vintage.
“And that which is very old becomes new breath to my aging flesh. I breathe in the smell of an ancient faith, and I am revived.” To that, I say “Amen.”
Cyndi
http://advocateofhope.wordpress.com
Cyndi, I hear you. As of late, I feel like I’ve failed miserably in the transfer of my faith to others. I’m sure some of the ancients of old felt the same way. Still and yet, they pressed onward, believing in the promises of God and his plan for humanity.
And we’re still thinking on them today. This should be a strong encouragement to all of us. The faith we’re living today will be the underpinning of our tomorrows and the tomorrows of the generation that sits beneath our influence. Keep to it!
Love this post! So true, so true. What we live by faith now becomes our best legacy forever. Some of us are required to live by faith more often, or more deeply than others; but it is required of us all. What a legacy to leave to those that know us and those that learn of us after we are gone. Glory
You know what? It seems like faith comes more naturally to some than to others. Trusting all the day long and resting in that trust. This is a biggie for me, an area of weakness. A few years ago, my friend Lisa Shaw did a series at her site about living our lives from the inside out. At that time, God clearly confronted me about my lack of faith. This conviction spurred on some writing that made its way into a book (currently collecting dust in a purple three ring binder). I’ve been thinking on it again . . . thinking that I need to more fully read it and rewrite it, and then live it! Oh to have it all figured out!
There is always a zinger in your post! I really love…
The story that comes before me is the anchor that writes the story now in me and the story that will follow after me
I always am challenged here Elaine. Isn’t that just like God… to use the words that WE are hearing from Him, for the next person down the line. Nothing is ever wasted.
xo