The Compass.

I remember as a child being given my first ever compass. I was totally mystified at how this little needle would always point in the same direction no matter which way I turn the compass around. I would give the compass a shake to try and confuse it but it always ended up pointing the same direction again.

In my teenage years I learned how to properly read a map and compass. I was shown how to read the symbols on a map and how to orientate the compass and map together. This is knowledge that I have retained to this day.

We stand and look around at our surroundings and all we can see is as far as the horizon. But a map has the ability to show us what is beyond our horizons. And when used in conjunction with the compass it can tell us what direction we need to go.

My Bible can only tell me what I need to do. But it’s Jesus, my compass, who tells me why I need to do it. My knowledge of the Bible and the history of Jesus has always been my spiritual compass. No matter what difficulties I found myself in, or stupidly allowed myself to get into, my spiritual compass would always point to that one direction - Him. I look back over my life now and wish that I had used that compass more often.

There have also been many times that I did not follow those directions and I ended up lost. But never so totally lost that I could never find my way back to Jesus again. Once I got my thoughts gathered back together and looked at my spiritual compass I knew that I would soon be back on the right path again.

Our bible is like a map and compass that shows us God’s great plan. I heard someone recently say that “….whilst science can take everything apart and show us “how” things exist, it is God who puts everything back together again and shows us “why” they exist…” God is the reason for everything.

Listen to David in one of his Psalms…

Psalm ch139 (14) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Or as the Apostle Paul writes to the christian believers in Ephesus…

Ephesians ch2 (10) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We were made BY God. We were made FOR God. And we were redeemed THROUGH God.

So, whatever talent or gift you have, find a way to make it work within your various christian circles. Whether it is a musical instrument, and ability to sketch and draw, or an ability to learn the Bible, find a way to practise it and become better at it. God will make a way for it to come together in your church circles.

Listen to the Apostle Peter as he writes to the various churches throughour Asia…

1st Peter ch4 (10) - “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

If we keep practising our gifts and talents, if we keep looking to Jesus for opportunities, help and guidance with our skills, then God will start to bless us once again. For those who truly seek God, with our spiritual compass, will truly find Him…

Psalm ch16 (11) You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Hebrews ch4 (16) Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God will make a way for you to return to Him and you will find His blessings again.

As the deer pants for the water so my soul longeth after you.
You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield. To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship you.

Paraphrased from Psalm 42v1

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