“Those who are led by the Spirit of God.” Romans 8:14 NIV
“Whether wandering or wondering, you need a little help to make your way forward.”
My thoughts today are about “direction.”
Everybody gets lost occasionally. When you do, the best thing to do is ask directions from someone who knows the way; the worst thing you can do is staying lost. There are times when you may not be lost as such, but just don’t know what to do next. Whether wandering or wondering, you need a little help to make your way forward.
Often, I will receive a call asking directions to Trinity Church. Before I give directions to where the church campus is, I must know where they are coming from. Where you are is the place where any help and meaningful direction begins. And that’s true for you as well. You need to know where you are right now to learn how to get where you need to be, and you need to know someone who can give you accurate directions to get there. When you’re lost you don’t always know where you are, or how you got lost, or how to find your way home.
Some months ago, we were in Seattle for a Pastors’ gathering. On the final day, I had rented a car for Gayle and me to take a week driving into Canada. A friend dropped me off at a remote car rental location. Returning to the hotel where Gayle was waiting, and in a torrential downpour, I somehow got turned around, heading the wrong direction in an unfamiliar puzzle of streets and freeways.
Realizing I was confused and lost in unfriendly weather and an unfamiliar city, I pulled over and called our hotel for directions. The front desk, wanting to be helpful, asked me the inevitable question – you guessed it – “Glad to help you. Can you tell me where you are?” In the heavy rain, I did not know, because I could not see any street signs nor have anyone to ask. I had to find something or someone that could identify where I was in order to get the direction I needed to find my way to where I needed to be.
Does your life feel that way occasionally – not sure where you are, how you got there, or where you need to go? Feeling that way right now? I appreciate Jesus’ own description of His ministry, “to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10. See also 1 Peter 2:21 NIV. It is foolish to continue in the direction of an unintended destination.
Without a clear sense of direction, your life will not be well lived. Here’s the problem; you and I are usually trying to direct our lives as we wish. That rarely works out well. The Bible says, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23 NIV. Here’s the only real solution: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your won understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT. You will never go wrong following Jesus.
My prayer for you today is that you follow Jesus and you will never lack direction.