Our Constant Guide

We live in a day of moral ambiguity.  Many feel there is no such thing as absolute truth.  What is right is what feels right to you.  Common expressions such as “go with your heart”, or “just be you”, or “find your true self” seem to be the most important criterion for making decisions.  The idea is that we have some kind of internal compass informed by a lifetime of experiences, inputs and personal choices that can guide us.  But what if the compass has gone haywire?  What if our internal compass has been warped by sin and thrown askew by our selfish desires.  How can we find our way without a constant a true north?

When Admiral Byrd made his first Antarctic expedition he spent six long months there alone in total darkness.  Each day he shoveled his way to the surface in order to get some exercise.  There was enough light to see only a dozen yards or so as he walked the few steps he dared to take.  On one such outing, having ventured as far as he dared, he turned to discover with shock that he could not see the stovepipe of his hut.  Veteran that he was, the admiral controlled his tendency to panic, refusing to move because he knew the danger.  To wander about without direction could place him farther from the hut.

Byrd calmly drove a stake into the snow and, using it as his center or constant, walked a large circle around it.  Not fining his hut, he extended his radius and walked another circle, searching through the blackness while keeping the stake in sight.  The third time he tried, the circle was so large that he almost lost sight of the stake.  He returned to it – his constant- and resolved to make one more attempt, with a still larger circle.

The range of visibility was very low as he walked, holding visually to his point of reference.  He knew that if he lost sight of the stake the ice and snow would quickly claim another victim.  It was then that he walked squarely into the tunnel of his hut.

Byrd relied on something sure and unchanging that guided him to shelter and security.  What are you relying on this morning to guide you to safety?  The opinions of some political candidate?  The pronouncements of some news media guru?  The advice of friends or family?

The apostle Paul encourages young Timothy to Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15 NKJV)  God’s Word is an unchanging constant in a topsy-turvy world.  Why not plant a stake in the center of God’s book.  Read it, study it and memorize it.  God’s Word will provide the constant beacon that will lead you safely home.
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Have a great week!
Pastor Barry
 
 
 
If you would like to comment or if you have questions for Pastor Barry you may direct those to bglawson75@gmail.com.   We would love to hear from you.