Finding our way in the growing maze of life can sometimes feel like trying to find our way through a vast city, without a map in hand or the ability to ask for directions. For many of us – men especially – asking for directions does not come easy. Many of us are overconfident about our sense of direction, unlike wise women who are humble and willing to ask a question or two. Too often we don’t carry with us a guidebook or a compass.

I remember well the nights spent navigating and climbing hills during my military service. Inevitably, no matter how much one had studied the map, when you reached the incline it was always steeper than it had appeared. The junction of roads clearly marked on the map had been washed away by the desert winds. The planned, gradual descent into the valley turned out to be a cliff. The landscape was more complex than it had looked at the base camp. The good part was that north on the compass never changed and with that help, eventually one would be able to head in the right direction if you remembered the basic direction of the rendezvous site.

The life we lead will have its surprises as well. Things may look different than we had planned. We have been given a detailed map, in the form of the Word of God, to guide our ever step – a trustworthy guidebook. We have been given the Holy Spirit as a compass that will help us know the direction to head. The problem for us many times can be our difficulty to believe that the map is accurate and up-to-date and accurate with the ever-changing world around us. The reality is that if we only had a bit more insight; we would recognize that this map is far more sure than the newspapers we read or the latest news on our favorite website. This God-inspired guidebook is truly ageless and does not expire or lose relevance in the midst of the increasingly rapid developments of today’s world.

In these turbulent but amazing times we live in, God is seeking men and women who will look to His word as their guide. As we read in Psalm 119: 105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Much like the maze of a great city where we easily can take a wrong turn and become lost, so can the mass of information and messages that we are bombarded with in this fallen world leave us confused. This is where the Bible will give us a sure direction. We can read His guidebook, stand on His promises and covenants and see Him guide us through to the pick up spot. We need to know how to turn hourly to our spiritual compass to walk in the direction that He is calling us. In this way we will find joy and peace. The psalmist declares: “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11

As we read in last month’s teaching article, we need to grow more mature in our walk and service to God. The Bible and the Holy Spirit guiding us daily, will be the tools we need as we navigate the bustling city or the endless desert of life. The fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will put us on a safe path till that day of victory when our Lord returns. Maranatha!