Have You Checked Your Compass Lately?
by Katherine Kehler
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“Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I know that I will triumph” (Isaiah 50:7).
For years my husband Marvin had his pilot’s license - just for small planes. He enjoyed flying very much.
One summer, he and three other men set off to attend a conference in Saskatchewan - three provinces east - over the Rocky Mountains. Before he started the plane, he checked all the instruments and set his course on the compass. They would be staying overnight in a city near the Alberta border.
What he hadn’t realized when he set his compass, was that the needle was a fraction off center. At first it didn’t matter, but by the time it came time land - it was getting dark and he wasn’t licensed to fly in the dark. He was off course. The men had been having a great time talking and laughing.
Marvin realized the mountains were much higher than his map indicated they should be. The city where they were supposed to be landing was nowhere in sight. A fraction of a degree off on the compass at the beginning of their flight had set them on the wrong course. What seemed like a small insignificant mistake could have cost them their lives.
They were eventually able to find a landing strip in a small town, land safely and fly on to their conference the next day.
Life is like that. If we don’t allow Jesus to set our compass (course) each morning, we can begin heading slightly off course. It may seem insignificant today and even tomorrow. But where will we be next year?
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor” (Hebrews 12:2).
Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who keeps nudging us to keep on straight and narrow course. Thank You for Your Word, which is the “light to our path.” Help us heed Your voice. Help us to listen. Amen.
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