The Way Everlasting

by Christina Rose

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

God speaks to us through His Word; the more we study it the more likely we are to recognize and obey His voice. We can pray to release any anxious thoughts that might be interfering with receiving His words. We can also pray to receive more wisdom from the written Word and to trust in what we hear.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NIV

When Moses led the Israelites to freedom they reached the Red Sea with the Egyptians in hot pursuit. Moses listened for God who told him to raise his staff over the Red Sea which then parted allowing the Israelites to cross. Once they were safely through, God then told Moses to again raise his staff so that the walls of the sea would descend upon the advancing Egyptians thus destroying them.

It was Joshua’s listening to God’s instructions that allowed the walls of Jericho to fall and the city to be conquered for God’s glory.  It was Noah’s listening to God’s instructions on how to build the ark that saved him, his family and the animals of the earth from destruction. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27 NIV).

 During a very challenging time when sleep escaped me, I cried out, “God, I can’t sleep!”  I heard God answer me, “Talk to me, I never sleep.” My worries dissolved as I poured out my troubles, listened for answers and journaled into my notebook. “He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping” (Psalm 121:3-4 TLB).

My eyes fell on a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers as I entered the market, but when I reached for them, I heard, “No, buy pink roses.” This made no sense to me, so I dismissed it and put the sunflowers in my cart.  I then heard, “Your flowers are dead, buy pink roses.”  Strangely enough my sunflower bouquet seemed to be wilting and turning brown right in front of me.  Again, the words “pink roses, pink roses,” kept overwhelming me until at last I returned the sunflowers and bought the pink roses.

Michelle was entering the market as I was leaving.  Her eyes fell on the pink roses and she collapsed in heart wrenching sobs. “Michelle, what’s wrong?” I asked.  She answered, “Today is the anniversary of Caroline’s death. I’ve been up all night praying that God would send me a sign to show me that Caroline is okay and that He hears me.  When Caroline died, everyone sent me pink roses and my house was filled with them. Pink roses remind me of her. They remind me of all the people who cared about us.  Now seeing your pink roses makes me think that God hears me and cares.” 

Michelle’s daughter Caroline was about to enter 3rd grade with my daughter a few years ago when she was carried away by a sleeper wave and drowned. She was a beautiful little blond girl full of joy and smiles who followed her mom everywhere. “Michelle, I wasn’t going to buy these pink roses, but I had such a strong feeling that I must buy them. I know God was the one guiding me to buy these for you.” I handed her the pink roses, and we hugged some more.  When we ask God to know our hearts and commit our ways to Him, He will lead us in the way everlasting.

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  Matthew 13:43 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Christina Rose is an author, trainer and speaker certified by the John Maxwell Team of Leadership.  She is a DAR (Daughter of the American Revolution) whose ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War. She is a world traveler, surfer, foodie, cappuccino loving chocoholic and a devoted mom to kids and dogs and auntie to many nieces and nephews who live around the world.

Christina’s book, My Appeal to Heaven, is her story. With her young family on the verge of falling apart, Christina finds herself in a desperate situation with no resources other than herself.  After appealing to heaven, the Lord takes her on a journey of awakening and miraculous empowerment. That power is available to us all, especially those who need hope and freedom.

Join the conversation: Has God ever made a choice clear for you? What happened? Please share!