Navigating our way through life…
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 NIV
He loved maps, and in his hall there hung a large one of the Country Round with all his favourite walks marked on it in red ink. JRR Tolkien
When I was younger, the only real option for navigation was to use paper maps. Big cumbersome paper maps with tiny print and elaborate map keys. This was true whether you were trying to find your way to an address in a city, planning a road trip across the country, or even planning a hike. When setting out to travel, it was always a bit of question as to how long it would take to get somewhere due to a number of unknown variables along the way.
Life can be a bit like that too. What or who are our guides? Our parents, family, and friends are definitely a valuable information source for us. Then there are teachers, therapists, life coaches, and people that we randomly meet. There are self help books and workshops by “experts”. Some of those sources are quite worthwhile, but every single one of them is fallible.
There’s a reason that the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Though the words were put down by various writers, God’s messages of how to live life comes through clearly. In its pages, we meet real people who made good choices and those who made poor choices; we learn from their successes and failures. More targeted teachings point us in the right direction. The New Testament is especially valuable as Jesus’ ministry and life show us the perfect model of how to live well. Jesus provides a bridge to God and shows us the way to the Father’s love which is the only never ending source of peace and joy.
When I’m traveling nowadays, I admit that when I’m planning a big road trip or going on less traveled roads, I still like to consult paper maps for the “big picture” overview. Yet the navigation system of my phone is often what I rely on as I’m driving along. You see, my phone navigation system will talk to me! It tells me about upcoming traffic lights, traffic snarls or accidents, and even routes around road work. It even shows where roads are closed, and I can check for helpful information along the way including food, hotels, or even sights to see.
Because life is an extended journey, the Bible provides foundational guidance in day to day living principals and guidelines for our benefit, provided out of God’s abundant love so as not to get lost along the journey of life. It’s kind of the “big picture” navigation system, though it’s so extensive and full of information that I need to keep reading and rereading it for better understanding. The Holy Spirit works through prayer; this is not unlike a phone navigation system with immediately applicable assistance. Solitude with God, fellowship with other believers, and Bible studies help us grow in wisdom to discern what is best for personal life decisions and to gain proper perspective.
Do you know where you’re going in life? Unlike a map or nav system, God is eternal and unchanging so his love is always there to guide you on the right paths of life.
