The Crossroads

Lord, I am at the crossroads! O help me choose aright,

For blinded is my vision, and darker grows the night;

Lord, help me in my weakness, I would not go astray;

One road is broad and luring, one is the “narrow way.”

Lord, I am at the crossroads! It is my hour of trial;

One leads to wealth and honor, one leads to self_denial;

The gods of earth are seeking to win me to their side;

But O, thou God of Heaven, I would with Thee abide!    

Lord, I am at the crossroads! One road is very fair,

And they that tread its mosses are decked with jewels rare;

I hear their careless laughter, their songs and revelry;

But ah! this road of pleasure leads far away from Thee.    

Lord, I am at the crossroads! One road is rough and bare;    

I see the crimson blood_drops of One who traveled there;    

He drank the cup of sorrow that flooded o'er the brim;    

But He is crowned the Victor – and I will walk with Him!    

E. Louise Umlauf

(Gospel Digest - December 1958)

Good Leadership

Jesus had a special place in His heart for the poor and downtrodden. He was tender and kind to the most sinful. Even to those who would become leaders He said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). We should not drive as did Jehu, but lead as did Jesus. We move a lighted candle slowly lest it go out. A fire almost expiring can be put out by a strong wind. A tender plant can be watered too much. In dealing with the weak we would do well to follow the hospital rule: “Walk softly and speak quietly.” We were all little children first and had to learn to walk. “The Lord’s servant must not strive.” We must have “a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and...love, which is the bond of perfectness” (Colossians 3:12-14). These qualities help to make a good leader.

G. K. Wallace