Resetting your life compass
Isaiah 8:20 “Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”
Who or what is your “compass” in life to guide you and make sure you are headed in the right direction?
You have likely been around some people who talk about how they rely on their own “inner compass” to guide them. Others talk about how they rely on certain people around them to keep them grounded and going in the right direction.
God has certainly put people in our lives to help guide, support and direct us. But if those people and our own “inner compass” are the only thing we are going to rely on, we are likely in trouble. In the very first book of the Bible we see what happened when Cain relied only on his “inner compass”. Jealousy toward his brother, Abel, and rage overtook him and he ended up killing his brother. In the aftermath of the world’s first murder, the Bible reminds us of this stark reality about our human “inner compass” – “…every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5).
The Bible is also filled with one story after another (Abraham and Sarah, Sodom and Gomorrah, the children of Israel and many others) of what happens when people only listen to the advice of those around them.
Our Bible verse for this week gives us some good advice and direction. As we check our “inner compass” and consult the advice of those closest to us, we should make sure that we also “consult God’s instruction”. “God’s instruction” is briefly summed up in the 10 commandments as God gives us as his children a roadmap and guide for life to keep us on the path to heaven. “God’s instruction” is laid out in much more detail for us on the pages of the Bible. That is why the Psalm writer reminds us “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105).
One word of understanding on this whole subject. If we truly intend to not just follow our “inner compass” and/or the advice of those around us and also make sure that we “consult God’s instruction”, it will not always be easy or popular. You likely understand that the common, popular advice today tells you to “Do what you want or what feels right.” and “If it feels good or right, go on ahead and do it”. That is why the Bible also uses the illustration of the road to hell being wide, straight and easy, while the road to heaven is narrow, twisted and difficult.
It takes courage, faith and trust in God to add God’s instruction to your cabinet of consultants. God bless and keep you as you take into consideration all the points on your compass and include God’s instruction as well!