I finished my out of town work today. I had a decision to make – stay another evening or drive home. There was more that enough justification to stay another night, but I have been on the go since 7 am this morning and 12 hours later, non-stop, I just wanted to get back to Carmel. Now normally, what direction I was going is of no consequence whatsoever but its a long drive and I have my favorite way to go. In fact, I have navigation in the car – I just set the destination to “Home” and I am on my way. My, that’s a great word – home…
Anyway, I was feeling a little adventurous this evening. The route I normally take is easy, but long and boring – I’m used to it. But several of my co- workers have encouraged me to try another route – more direct, shorter in miles, but filled with twists and turns through several smaller towns. Being as tired as I was, I chose to give it a try – somewhat reluctantly. I set the navigation, put on cruise control and started out. Now this is where the story gets a little strange. I was doing fine until I reached a stretch of road that wasn’t on the navigation system. I know it was the correct way to go, but I must have maps that are a little older and they don’t show the newer route.
I wasn’t more than several miles into unfamiliar territory before the route path vanished from the map. The time to destination disappeared and there was no mileage listed for the distance home. I don’t think I have ever seen this before but there it was, right in front of me. I contemplated turning around and trying a different way home, but everything in my bones told me I was going the right way. I found myself saying, “Just head north… keep heading north – you will eventually get there….” Sure enough, I am writing to you this evening from the comfort and warmth of my own bed. And I arrived home in record time, no less. I couldn’t believe it.
Every so often I saw a familiar store or gas station – road markers if you will, so I kept the faith and followed my instincts – following my mantra, “Just head north…” Now I am sure that most of you are already ahead of me this evening. Because it dawned on me that my drive home was just like my walk with Christ. Sometimes, I find myself traveling unfamiliar paths when I am inclined to take the road less travelled. I miss the sign posts, don’t see the destination clearly according to the normal rules of the road, don’t know how long it will take me to get into a deeper relationship with Christ and finally, I don’t know how far away He is. I guess I could take the analogy even further by saying that my relationship with Christ is like going “home.” Because we are told that this world is a place we are visiting – we are in the world but not of the world.
But just like my trip this evening, I just have to keep myself headed north – true north, if you will – into the arms of Jesus – the ultimate destination for all believers. And if we stay focused on that goal, I have no doubt that we will enter into deeper relationship in record time. The verse for this evening is from Job 37:22, “Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.” My encouragement this evening is to keep heading north. Keep your eyes focused on the Lord and keep looking up. My prayer is that you will never lose your way and that the Lord of the universe will always beckon you in the right direction. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…