Navigation of Life

Without getting too far into the weeds, navigation is basically knowing where you are in relation to where you started. Basic navigation needs two known points to measure the current location.

The old explorers did not wander aimlessly into the seas. They plotted their course to determine where they were in relation to where they started. If you read some of their exploits, you will be amazed at their expertise even with the crude instruments of their time.

Are you wandering aimlessly into the seas of this world?

In evangelical Christianity, we sometimes use the term “lost” to describe someone’s condition who have not come to faith in Christ.

The Bible described some folks this way, “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34 NKJV).

These people were wandering aimlessly in life, like lost sheep without a shepherd.

An explorer going into unchartered territory, who takes no compass bearings and makes no measurement of distance traveled will eventually be lost.

Life in a sense, is unchartered territory because every next day is unknown. Are you just waking up every day without taking a bearing to find the direction of your travel? Have you taken stock of the distance you have traveled up to this point? You may be lost?

Starting Point
I am a creation of God. My beginning was in the mind and heart of God. My arrival in this life began with God. He is the starting point of all of our lives.

“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,/ so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;/ for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring’” (Acts 17:26-28 NKJV).

Waypoint
A waypoint of navigation is a known reference point where one can confirm or re-orient his direction. As I began to live in this life as a sinful creature, I wandered from the path of God—I was lost. Then by the mercy of God, I became aware that Jesus Christ died for my sins and was resurrected so I could have new life. Jesus Christ was the Waypoint of my salvation, a known reference point to give me a corrected life direction.

He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).

Direction of Travel
Now as I journey with Him, His Word directs me in the path I need to travel.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV). Everyday as I journey, I can set my direction by the compass of His Word.

Fellow Traveler
Not only did Jesus become my Waypoint, He also sent the Holy Spirit to constantly walk with me as my wonderful Guide and Comforter.

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13 NKJV).

Glorious Destination
Every traveler starts out with some destination in mind. It may be a known place or the excitement of a new discovery. Heaven is both, a known place, and the prospect of a new level of living with excitement and splendor. Jesus has prepared the way and prepared the destination of Heaven.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me./ In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you./ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also./ And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4 NKJV).

Come Along
You may be in the journey with Jesus, or you may be lost. If you are of the first group, be encouraged in your journey with Jesus. If you are in the group that is lost, I am glad you came across these words. Please come along with us. Stop the wandering and find Jesus the Waypoint of your life’s journey and the sure hope of arrival at a destination that is literally out of this world!

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt

PathwayOutreach.org