At the end of every old path is a frontier that calls for a new path

By Ken Raggio

The writer said, "Ask for the old paths" (Jeremiah 6:16). He said there is rest for your souls in the old paths.

Every path began as a rugged course.

The courses our modern highways follow were once raw frontier land. Today, we take for granted the fast-moving, multiple-lanes, wide-shouldered, brightly lit and well-marked "freeways", almost never remembering the old paths. The best paths we take today are the old paths, the ancient landmarks, that have proven to be right and safe for a long, long time.

These old paths were once new paths that were rough-hewn out of terrain that defied progress. All of nature seemed to oppose it. There were obstacles of all kinds - geological formations that rose up and dipped down; surface conditions that sank and bogged; shrubs and weeds and trees and creek-bottoms and rocks.

Trail Blazers cut the Old Paths

Those whose destinies lay beyond the commonly traveled routes were forced to blaze new trails. They literally burned the terrain in some cases. Then, with whatever tools necessary, they carved their way through wildernesses, forests, prairies, mountains, hills and valleys, creeks and rivers.

The average man knows precious little about conquering frontiers, or the awesome risks encountered by men like Columbus and Magellan, who first explored the wonders of the world.

Prince Henry, the Navigator

Early in the fifteenth century, a Portuguese mariner known as Prince Henry the Navigator began seeking a new route to the East. Up to that time, European trade routes to the Orient were long and dangerous overland journeys, beset by natural hazards, robbers and the fierce competition of merchants from Asian and Middle-eastern countries.

For more than forty years, Prince Henry the Navigator pored over maps and sent forth expeditions to explore the coastlines of Africa. His own innovation, the compass, enabled them to follow their course more accurately than ever before. Prince Henry died in 1460, before any of his expeditions had explored the entire length of Africa.

Bartholomew Diaz, then Vasco de Gama

But in 1486, following the OLD PATHS of Prince Henry, Bartholomew Diaz was able to sail around the southern tip of Africa. A disgruntled crew forced him to turn back. Not until 1497, following the OLD PATHS of Diaz, did Vasco de Gama sail around Africa, into the Indian Ocean to the West Coast of India. The King of Portugal later endowed him with the lavish title, "Lord of Conquest, Navigation, and Commerce."

Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan

At almost the same time in history, Christopher Columbus was penetrating uncharted horizons to the west, in search of a shortcut to the East. Four times he accidentally discovered the Americas without realizing the magnitude of his accomplishment. Within a few years, his OLD PATHS had inspired and helped direct Ferdinand Magellan completely around the world, for the first time in history.

Abraham, Father of the Faithful

Every old path was once a new path. Biblical trailblazers like Abraham marched off the maps in search of their destinies. He obeyed the Lord and forsook his ancestors and homeland for a land of inheritance where the Lord Himself would lead him. Today, Abraham's trail is an old path. We often define bold faith in Abrahamic terms.

Jacob vs. Esau

Jacob blazed a trail looking for his inheritance. His unconventional tactics are still a shock to the methodologists. We presume that we would be just like Jacob in desiring the birthright and the Lord's blessing. But if we had been first-hand observers, we might have pitched a fit over the goat's hair lie and the fake venison, because we cannot comprehend how Jacob justified his means for the end. Yet God's opinion is clear: "...I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau," (Malachi 1:3,4).

This shows how we tend to dream, like Jacob, about exciting frontiers to conquer, such as the blessing of God that would revive our souls and our churches, but how unprepared we are to actually march off the map, and find it. More times than not, we slander the man who first steps across the line from complacency into unexplored territory. Progress is inherently, inevitably, and unavoidably controversial, because it is truly dangerous and unchartable in advance. But progress is worth the risks.

Queen Esther

Young Queen Esther needed to approach the King for a favor, but there were no precedents for approaching the King safely without being bidden. But real desperation defies danger. Esther concluded that "if I perish, I perish," then boldly approached the throne of King Ahasuerus for help. She got what she went for.

The Four Starving Lepers

Four starving lepers sat in the gates of their city, contemplating their fate. None of their options were good. They were starving in the gate. There was famine in the city. And outside the city were enemies.

But the latter had at least some potential. "Why sit we here until we die?" (2 Kings 7:3). "Let us fall into the hands of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we shall live. If they kill us, we shall but die."

When they rose up, God showed them favor, and when they arrived at the Syrian camp, no one was there. The Syrians mysteriously heard the noises of ensuing chariots, horses, and a great army, and fled. The four starving lepers raided the place. After a sumptuous feast to squelch their hunger, they reported the day's good fortune to their king. The Israelites followed the OLD PATH of the lepers, and found abundant spoils of silver, gold, raiment, and vessels. Everybody benefited from the faith of a few desperate men.

The Psychology of Fences

A well-known sociologist recently reported this finding: In observing school children at play, those who were sent out into a school yard WITHOUT fences tended to hover near the building for security. Those who were sent into a school yard WITH fences, tended to run freely and play more ambitiously.

If we apply this observation to our Apostolic concepts of truth and holiness, we can see a valuable point emerge. And that is this:

Exploration must remain anchored to familiar routes

If we are afraid of "falling off the edges", we will seldom, if ever, move away from a well-worn trail of behavioral habits, even though they may deprive us of experiencing the thrill and exhilaration of true freedom. On the other hand, if we will keep constantly in mind the fact that our message of Truth and Holiness forms a protective fence around us, we will be more inclined to explore and exercise our real potentials. As long as the Bible doctrines of the oneness of God, the name of Jesus, the water and spirit birth, and the holy, sanctified life remain intact, we can feel free to try our wings, rejoicing, singing, and enjoying the blessings of God. We can stretch, and move into new dimensions, without defiling our purpose.

The Evolution of Ministry

We have all taken note of developments over the years. Long ago, Pentecostal congregations were being formed without the advantage of permanent buildings. Meetings were held under arbors made from brush, tents hastily erected, and rough-hewn tabernacles, devoid of such modern conveniences as electricity and plumbing. The musical worship of that time revolved around portable instruments such as guitars and fiddles. Accordions became almost indispensable.

When buildings were built, pump organs and rag-time pianos moved in. As time progressed, the lights came on, and eventually, the music of nearly every Apostolic church in America was dominated by an electric (Hammond) organ (and Leslie) and a baby grand piano. Now we are beginning to see keyboards and synthesizers and drums. Who knows what is next?

But Old Paths led us to this.

We need not fear the NEW that has come as a natural outgrowth of the OLD, as long as THE FENCE IS STILL UP. As long as we never veer from the Old Path in our pursuit, we can have confidence that the Old Path will lead is to the right places.

The early explorers marched off the map, applying ancient navigational principles to new instruments and technology. We can do greater exploits than ever, using new-found technology and new-found skills as long as we never abandon the eternal truths of God's Word.

We must not stop at the dead ends!

If we balk at the prospect, we may find ourselves unable to gaze at the horizon for grief that we may never know what lies beyond it. The OLD PATHS will begin to run backwards to the places where miracles never happened, and the desperation was overwhelming.

Old Paths lead to Newness of Life

Paul told the Romans to "walk in the NEWNESS of life" (Romans 6:4) and "serve in NEWNESS of spirit"(7:6). Walking the OLD PATHS will not lead to a dead-end of redundancy, but to a NEW and refreshing and vibrant walk With the Lord.