Getting Lost
We walked into the business with sweat dripping down our brows and weary feet. How in the world did a walk down a country lane turn into a trek into the nearby town 7 miles down the road?
It all started because of the pesky mosquitoes. We were enjoying the walk under a shaded canopy even with the obstacles of broken branches littering the trail. However, the bugs attacking us were overwhelming and annoying. So, we decided to try a new path on our route home.
A little trip down the side road seemed like a better plan than warring the buzzing pesks, so we headed out to the pavement. After a few miles, we wondered why we hadn’t come back to our starting point. Despite the sun in front of us, we judged our direction incorrectly and continued going the wrong direction. And pretty soon, we recognized our surroundings as the town 5 miles away from our destination.
How did we get so far off track? We strayed from the path, chose a new way, tried to navigate our way without a map or compass and left all sources of communication behind.
Isn’t that like life?
We get annoyed by pesky circumstances and make sudden changes without asking God for guidance. Suddenly we find ourselves in a bad situation, completely off track and a little lost.
Thankfully, we can’t leave our communication devices at home in these situations. God is always there for us and if we would just ask, He would give us guidance. The compass we need can be found in the Word of God and it’s always available to us.
I know sometimes when we’re trying to make life decisions, the Bible doesn’t seem to give enough specific advice. Should I take this job? Have another baby? Marry this guy? Turn left or right at the next street?
But, God’s Word does give general directions that we can follow. The compass shows us which way is North and which is South. We know which choices are clearly out of His will and what behaviors please Him.
I don’t really care for that feeling when I’ve lost my way and I can’t figure out where I made the wrong turn or how to get back home. I’d really rather have a map in front of me, but I’ll take the gentle prodding one step at a time. The whisper in my ear guiding my direction keeps me on the straight and narrow.
How about you? How do you keep your eye on God’s compass? Do you look at the Word each morning for direction or only turn to it when things get confusing? Do you listen for His voice before you make that those choices or look for His approval after the fact?
I need His directions everyday of my life.
After some wrongs turns in my life, I have learning to ask first…I do get directions each morning to ensure that my day may not unravel.