Today they both decided to take a risk. 
They were going on a road-trip, their destination was a place called Ile Ayo*. They were going cruising in the red convertible, far far away to the outskirts of town. They took a map and a compass...along with their intuition and freelance adventurous spirits. They dressed up in slacks and t-shirts, not ready to be uncomfortable during the long trip. She'd been craving his attention all month, and he'd been too busy working from the wee hours of the morning to very late hours of the night. They'd had no time for loving. Well, this was an opportunity...an opportunity to be all by themselves. So they loaded their car with edibles and games, and got into the two front seats. He cracked a joke and she giggled...and the car caught up with the furious wind. After four hours of talking, laughing, and staring at the map, they got to a crossroad. They looked at the map again, but there was no record of this intersection nor was there a symbol or diagram. They concluded that the map was probably old. This was a major crossroad and they had to use their intuition...

They were going on a road-trip, their destination was a place called Ile Ayo*. They were going cruising in the red convertible, far far away to the outskirts of town. They took a map and a compass...along with their intuition and freelance adventurous spirits. They dressed up in slacks and t-shirts, not ready to be uncomfortable during the long trip. She'd been craving his attention all month, and he'd been too busy working from the wee hours of the morning to very late hours of the night. They'd had no time for loving. Well, this was an opportunity...an opportunity to be all by themselves. So they loaded their car with edibles and games, and got into the two front seats. He cracked a joke and she giggled...and the car caught up with the furious wind. After four hours of talking, laughing, and staring at the map, they got to a crossroad. They looked at the map again, but there was no record of this intersection nor was there a symbol or diagram. They concluded that the map was probably old. This was a major crossroad and they had to use their intuition...
*******************************************************************************
A crossroad is a place in-between the past, future and present. It's like the center of a maze where you must pass after you start at the beginning and before you stop at the end. It is a point where everyone gets to in their own journey. It's a point where heavy decisions are made and where authorities choose to connive or concede. A crossroad is the "gate" mentioned in the book of Proverbs where important men went to make the decisions of the land. What should we do when we hit a crossroad?
I've been faced with crossroads before...where I didn't know what the future would hold for me. Where I thought I was in the right direction, but lo and behold as I chose to move forward it became the wrong direction (wrong place and wrong timing). And so I stopped and made a 180 degrees turn. I wondered whether to look up or to look down, or whether to look right or to look left. I asked questions and got no significant responses. I questioned God and He became silent. How did I survive to tell the story? I am a survivor because I just remained in His presence. In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Somehow, after remaining in His presence for a while (long or short, depending on what exactly your crossroad is), you'll get catapulted to where your destination is. I promise you...
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I've been faced with crossroads before...where I didn't know what the future would hold for me. Where I thought I was in the right direction, but lo and behold as I chose to move forward it became the wrong direction (wrong place and wrong timing). And so I stopped and made a 180 degrees turn. I wondered whether to look up or to look down, or whether to look right or to look left. I asked questions and got no significant responses. I questioned God and He became silent. How did I survive to tell the story? I am a survivor because I just remained in His presence. In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Somehow, after remaining in His presence for a while (long or short, depending on what exactly your crossroad is), you'll get catapulted to where your destination is. I promise you...
.
His presence...what is this presence? His presence is a place where you feel peace. A place at the middle of the storm where Jesus is in your boat and so your boat stays calm, rocking gently like a cradle. His presence is waking up early in the morning with a smile and a yawn. His presence is found in worship...rendering songs that come from your soul. His presence surrounds you when your light shines in the midst of darkness. His presence is being surrounded by His word, which He watches over like a hen watches her chicks. His presence is like traveling to the security of a warm summer resort in the midst of winter.
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His presence nullifies the intensity of the crossroad. You close your eyes and open them again, and you would have run far, past your crossroad. You look back at your past, and it's all behind you. You look at your present and you're still on the road trip. You look at your future, and there you are standing at your destination.
.
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His presence nullifies the intensity of the crossroad. You close your eyes and open them again, and you would have run far, past your crossroad. You look back at your past, and it's all behind you. You look at your present and you're still on the road trip. You look at your future, and there you are standing at your destination.
.
It's not the easiest thing to make a heavy decision at a crossroad, but don't be in haste, don't rush your decision...just remain in His presence and see where He takes you...do you want to experience this presence? Even at ur crossroad, remain in His presence...
.
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*Ile Ayo*: A place called Joy.

27 comments:
oh my days, oh my days, oooooooh my days.. I'm first..
okay going to read. Hope you're doing good...
i'm second.he pi pi ,huray.
now get serious.i should be 1st oh.but when i got here,i didn't even read the post.i just be'd(jumped) to comment.but dats when server didn't respond.its like god was saying "e wo omo e,o ma be ju".so i went back to read the post and until i finished b4 server started working and i could comment.God is funny.
post was touching.several times in my life when i was at crossroads and felt hopeless.but when god stepped in,he truly nullified those crossroads.thanks for being a blessing.
shalewa, sorry now.. okay race you next time :-)))
Now, Jaycee, oh dearie me...this post, this post, THIS POST!!! Aaargh Father now! Okay oh… Well, at this very point in time in my life, I am sitting at a major crossroad! All I have in hand is lessons learnt from the past, the dreams and hopes, promises and vision He has given me for the future, and the promises that He is with me every step of the way. Not forgetting the very robust resource - His word! You are so right Jaycee, at such points, sometimes God seems silent… hahahaha! Our father has an awesome sense of humour, but really He is not…whilst trying to make the decision on which way to turn, I am forced to ask Him questions, forced to spend more time at His feet - in His presence, forced to learn the essence of patience, forced to not just to get a hazy idea of where I am going but actually obtain the coordinates of this very journey! Wonderful huh… the only problem is I want it like….eeer now! Lol.. But God being God (thank you daddy!) will make me wait here at this crossroad, (if I let him) until I am fully equipped for the journey and battles ahead...a new season in His will!
Again... this post, this post, this post.. Father, once you have spoken, a million times I have heard!
God bless you loads and loads and loads oh... :-))))xx
Crossroads, so the best thing is to spend time in his presence and chill out let him catapult you to your destination..............I am refreshed to hear it again. Out of the mouth of 2 or 3
Hi Jaycee,
Started reading your piece via Remi! a dayingodswill. really great encouragement. keep it up
Deboo at
http://melodiesoflove.blogspot.com
wonderful post- 'i'm a survivor becos i stayed in his pressence'- i love dis so much; becos it is so true. u dis girl, i join u bless God for the word he gives 2 u!!
Remi...yes darling, I'm good. Oh ur days...today is one of ur days! Yippee. Let me give u a bar of sweet chololate...See, the PROMISES of God are what can keep us going (esp when we're at crossroads)...as far as we remember what God has spoken concerning us..."in His presence, forced to learn the essence of patience, forced to not just to get a hazy idea of where I am going but actually obtain the coordinates of this very journey!" The way u penned those lines was so beautiful...
Shalewa...loved what u said, "Several times in my life I was at crossroads and felt hopeless. But when God stepped in, He truly nullified those crossroads." That's the WORD right there, personalized into ur life's story...wow.
30+...yes, out of the mouths of 2 or 3, God's word is ESTABLISHED. We'll just keep staying in His presence...
Straight from the heart...thank God...looking forward to more of His word. Will be sure to take a peak at ur own bloggie soon...
Chichi...na so o...make I even join Destiny's Child to sing the "Survivor" song...the only difference is that I survived because I stayed in His presence...and I will continue to be a survivor. Thank God for the message. He has turned my MESS into a MESSAGE. :) (thank God for u too...mwah!)
Sitting still in a holding pattern at THE crossroad. Nervous but excited. I have no idea what I am going to do but that even excites me more as I usually interfere with God's work. Right now, I do not have a clue. So as long as it takes, I wait. Never happened before :)
In your prescence, there is life...in Him was life and the life was the light of men
Thank you Jaycee
Refreshing. I needed this. Thanks!
Very very inspiring ..... God always has a plan for our lives that leads to a place of joy and peace. He will tell us where do indeed if we sit in presence and listen.... then we will have to do the walking.
jaycee..i dont know if u are psychic or something but your entries always have something to do with my life..its crazy
right now i feel like i am at crossroad as well..i have been going on a st8 road for most of my life but i might have made a wrong turn on the way cuz now i am on unfamiliar territory..and not sure if i can make the best decision..God is always there..so i trust in him..
Thanks so much for this dear
can I just say I love you..lol
reading your post gave me goose pimples..your a woman after Gods heart and I can sense it in your post...
p.s: that first song that plays in your blog, can I have it pretty pls?
Ile Ayo.. Hmmm
i am at a cross road in my career and i am worried i dont have answers. I am not sure what the facts of future are in the duo.
I pray God answers me soon
love ur positivity!
www.hairbyazara.blogspot.com
Kemimamalopez...ha ha ha nervous but excited...that's just the feeling one gets when excited. U're right where u need to be, just be still and know that He is God...no interference this time. Lol.
Darkelcee...:) *Hugs*
James Bond's Namesake...u're welcome dear. Glad it refreshed ur spirit...:)
Jem...if we sit in His presence and listen, I guess that's the hardest part. The part where we get to finally 'hear' and then 'walk' are actually easier...oh, if we can just BASK in His presence for one more second...more of You, Lord. More of ur presence. More!
Unwritten...an unfamiliar territory is definitely a crossroad. There's nothing that can be said to reduce the confusion sometimes...nothing can be done except to just bask in His presence. I'm thinking His presence is like someone who stops by the roadside to smell the roses...kodak moment! Lol.
Zephi...How does one even respond to such a comment like that? *speechless*, thank goodness black people don't blush! Abt the song...I found it on Project Playlist while trying to find a song that suits the mood. (awww...now ur comment is stuck with me for life).
Allied...Amen. Cos I wanna be part of that testimony when God answers, as a fellow TERCite!
Hair by Zara...:) :) :)
Very revealing post.
In his presence, I think i need to write about it.
whassup Jaycee.
Hey, wishing you and everyone a "Happy celebration of Life"! He died so that we might live, in abundance too! He's just too awesome!!! Have a great Easter:-)x
Loved the way you broke down what His presence truly means. It's really that simple. Peace. He is not a God of confusion.
Loved it, loved it!
i am at a crossroad in my life right now...
BUT i know God will direct my path....
HAPPY EASTER....
Oracle...u'll probably find me rushing to read when u DO write abt His presence. Can't wait! Lol.
Remi...John 3:16 is going through my mind again and again, the essence of why He died for u and I...the LOVE of a Father...yes, happy easter!
Simi...yeah, peace. That's just about it. Not even peace as the world knows it...I think it even transcends that...lol. How u dey? How's ur Mr. and baby? I trust everyone is fine...*wink*. Enjoy the spirit of easter! :)
MyStories...see, ur life is a living testimony. Ur stories will be told for generations...as ur blog name is, so shall you be...:)
When I was growing up my parents had to go away for over a year(not to jail!), they left my sisters and I with my maternal grand mother and we went to church regularly(no everyday).
It was the most terrible time of our life, we did not like going to church, for one they closed at 3pm even though service started at 8.30am and I did not have a clue what they said most times!!!
I read this blog alot and I ALWAYS know what you are saying, it is all very simple, not tiring, but strong.
Jaycee, thanx for dropping by! Don't we all feel we are at crossroads a lot in our lives. Thanks for sharing.
Jaycee!!!!!
Thank you. I had a conversation with my mentor and my mother yesterday and they all said something similar to this. But you have eloquently provided a masterplan of an approach that I must apply. We are all at a crossroads and remembering that God will not let us fail but will guide us (if we listen) is so important.
So, I wish you Happy Easter Sunday and am off to update the Mantra section of my Easier blog with a new message from your post.
NIGERIAN CURIOSITY
IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER WHEN I ONLY HAD ONE...
Amen. Thanks again for the words of encouragement
Jaycee,
When I think of crossroads, I think of Joshua Ch 1 which has become one of my fav scriptures in recent times. Here was this young man, who now had the huge task of taking the people of Israel into the promised land. He was told by God that every where had been given to him, that it all had been given to him, yet He still had many crossroads, such as crossing the Jordan, bringing down Jericho, Ai and all that.
I used to not want crossroads, didnt like to make decisions, but now I crave them because it forces me to trust God with the kind of trust seen in Prov 3:5. It gives me the opportunity to see Him arise, and take over, and for His glory to shine.
The Israelites were at a cross road, and they took the wrong path because they didnt understand what God was doing, they didnt honor God, they didnt know the voice of the Good shepherd, and it cost them 40 yrs in the wilderness. So whenever you find yourself at a "crossroad", get into a position of praise, and see the Lord work out your salvation for you by giving you divine favor and direction.
Thanks for that blog comment, I am that way as well, so many ideas. I listened to the most amazing sermon online that talked about taking your passions and placing it at God's feet. Then tell Him to take it and give you His plan for it. You have planted the seed, now in order for the fruit to come up, the seed has to die. You nurture the growth through your daily confessions about those dreams/passions. Eventually it will all spring forth and our God, our Father of Ephesians 3:20 will show you what He is made of!
Here's the website for the sermon,
http://insightsforliving.org/message_centre.php
I love Pastor Oyemade, young guy discipled by Oyedepo. I've listened to most of his sermons on the site, if the windows media player doesnt work, try real audio version.
This sermon in particular is Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary (13 jan 2008)
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