Jesus, our Compass in Life
Over the last several months, one main theme has emerged in my journey with the Holy Spirit: the theme of obedience. This isn’t merely about following the Ten Commandments—though that is important. True obedience goes beyond rules; it requires us to consider the heart behind the word itself.
The ultimate example of obedience is found in the life of Jesus. When He faced the cross, He prayed to the Father, asking if there was any way to remove the cup from Him. Yet, He ultimately surrendered, saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” If Jesus was willing to lay down His life in obedience to the Father, how can we not offer our own lives in service to Him?
We may not always understand why we are instructed to do certain things in our Christian walk, but understanding isn’t a prerequisite for obedience. Obedience is a conscious choice that reflects the condition of our hearts. When we truly trust Jesus—not only as our Savior but also as our Lord—we develop a genuine desire to follow Him. Conversely, when we choose disobedience, we risk hurting the heart of God. It’s as if we’re saying, “Your way isn’t good enough for me; my way is better.” In essence, we acknowledge His sacrifice on the cross yet dismiss the path He lays before us.
I once heard someone say, “God does not always give us the map; sometimes, He only gives us the compass.” If you’re a hiker or someone who loves the outdoors, you know that with just a compass, you must trust its guidance, even when the destination is hidden from view. Similarly, in our Christian journey, we may not always see where God’s instructions lead us. We might not understand the path ahead, but we are called to trust the Lord. Just as a hiker relies on the compass to find their way home, trusting Jesus and His Spirit will ultimately lead us to our eternal home.
Like the hiker relying on the compass, trusting God can be intimidating. In those moments of fear, we must turn to our compass—God Himself. It’s during these challenging times that we need to lean on and trust Him, whether we’re facing trials, heartaches, hardships, or broken relationships. No matter what we’re experiencing, we can trust Him to lead the way.
I want to challenge you with something that has challenged me over the last several weeks. If Jesus died in obedience to the Father, how can I not give every ounce of my life—my effort, my heart—in obedience to His calling? I encourage you to take some time to sit at the Father’s feet. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place. Pour your heart out to Him. Share your struggles with obedience, and express your desire to follow His calling. He will lead you! He will show you the way! He will help you!
Remember, you are not so lost that the compass cannot bring you home!