I was talking with someone who had an important decision to make. They had gathered several options from trusted advisors. They asked me, “What should I do?” I said, “Follow the scarlet thread.” After taking a moment to digest what I said, I explained what I meant.

I narrated the story of Joshua leading the people of Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. After making that crossing, Israel would face the fortified city of Jericho. Spies were sent to spy on the land and determine Jericho’s defense. When the spies entered the city, they met a prostitute named Rahab.

Rahab protected the spies when the authorities visited her home. She then directed the authorities away from the spies. After she offered the men protection and a way to escape the city, she wanted insurance from them that when Israel laid siege against Jericho, she and her family would be spared.

Rahab was told to mark her house with “scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down” (Joshua 2: 18-19). When the people of Israel invaded the city, those in her household would be spared because her house was marked. 

A historical scarlet thread runs through all aspects of our lives. The scarlet red color of revealed truth is woven into each decision we make if we are listening to the Spirit. When we make those choices, they are often made seemingly disconnected from what’s next. Only in our obedience is a connection made with the historical scarlet thread line that we may not see at the time we are making our choice. Our choices can be simplified by just doing what God is asking of us at the moment, not what makes the most sense.  

I asked the person I was talking with which of their choices sounded the most like Jesus. After hearing their answer, I said, “Do that and trust the Lord to make it happen. It is part of a larger lineage of God’s scarlet thread being revealed in your life.”  I wanted them to know they were placing an act of wisdom onto a generational scarlet threadline that those in the future would be able to look back on to help them make similar choices. These choices are made one decision at a time, not always seeming to connect with any other decision until we make our choice. Once we obey, that moment in our personal history is marked by a scarlet thread for future generations to consider as they face similar life-altering choices.