My hunting partner and I realized the unfamiliar terrain in a large tract of woods had disoriented us. We followed all the rules in order to walk in a straight line by picking a tree or visible object in the distance and heading towards it. Then we would pick another and go straight to it. When people find themselves lost, they tend to walk in circles veering in the direction of your dominant hand. My buddy and I finally came to a dirt road we recognized. However, we began walking several degrees off the correct course—we were five miles from our truck.
Last night my wife flew almost 2,000 miles back to our home on the east coast from a conference on the west coast. Had the pilot flown one degree off course the plane would have been 33 miles from the airport. Ok, an easy correction, you say. However, consider the rule of thumb; one degree of variance from your heading will result in being one mile off for each 60 miles, two degrees puts you two miles off, or four degrees results in being four miles off, and so forth. Think about this for NASA and travel to other planets.
I’ve always viewed Christianity as a journey we travel. Jesus cautioned, Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life . . . (Matt 7:13 NIV). Luke’s account of this teaching reads; strive to enter through the narrow door referring to salvation. Jesus said I am the door (Joh 10:7). He also warned no one comes to the Father but through Me (Joh 14:6). Peter preached, and there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Act 4:12). After we enter the gate or door of salvation through Jesus, we begin the journey. It is also narrow. That sounds like an impossible journey making one wonder if they can make it to the destination.
Without the Holy Spirit and the Bible, it is impossible. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth (Joh 16:13). In the Book of Acts, the history of the early church, Luke recorded numerous examples of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Paul set his course to preach in Asia. They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia (Act 16:6). So, he altered his course and tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them (v7). He had no intention of going to Troas and crossing the Aegean Sea to into Macedonia. But, God gave Paul a vision and directed him to make a course correction. In obedience, Paul plotted a new course to Troas, boarded a ship, and sailed toward Macedonia. The Holy Spirit’s guidance applies not only to our ministry direction, it applies to our doctrine, or belief system, our worldview, God’s will for our life, and in fact every facet of life.
Just as a hunter or hiker lost in the woods whose natural tendency is to walk in circles, our nature of sin or flesh will also lead us off course or walking in circles. Scripture admonitions us, There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death (Pro 14:12). Yet, the Bible assures us through multiple promises He will keep us through our journey in life. I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you (Psa 32:8). You will make known to me the path of life (Psa 16:11). He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way (Psa 25:9 NIV).
Yet, veering off course can happen to every believer. Normally, no one decides to take a 90-degree turn and go off course. Most often, it takes place so subtlety we don’t even notice. It is that one degree off that leads us into danger. Sometimes it takes months and even years, then through either the Holy Spirit or other mature Christians we realize we are not where God wants us to be. Having drifted off course doesn’t mean we are living a life of blatant sin. It can mean we are not enjoying the fullness of His blessing, not experiencing success in ministry, are unhappy in our marriage, have no peace in this stressful world, or have become dry and stagnate, etc. The list is endless.
For my wife’s plane to have been off by thirty-three miles would not require a huge correction. But, what if the destination had been Europe or Africa! If you are growing and maturing in Christ, you will make many course corrections if life. I’ve read several stories of pilots who became confused but felt they were going in the right direction believing their instruments were incorrect and ended up crashing. We don’t stay on course by our feelings. Our instruments are studying the Word, staying filled with the Spirit, hearing His direction, and most of all yielding to His corrections.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Are you spiritually dry or walking in circles? It is time to check the instruments and make a course correction.