Are You in Need of Directions?
By: Brian A. Yeager

    (Jeremiah 10:23) “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”  People today must be willing to accept that we as humans cannot navigate alone in our spiritual lives.  There is only one source of directions that will guide us spiritually.  (Psalms 119:105) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  The word of God is sufficient in providing us with all of the information we need to find our way to the straight and narrow (Deuteronomy 29:29 and II Peter 1:3).  The question is, will we follow the directions?

Making Wrong Turns

    Every time I drive Taylor to a Dr.’s appointment in Pittsburgh I make a wrong turn.  One time I stopped and asked a young man just how to get back on the right path.  This young man got me turned and headed even further away.  Finally, I took out a map and looked.  The map was the proper place to go, because it was the official guide for directions.  When we make wrong turns in our spiritual lives we must go to the map God has provided.  When lost we should want to be saved.  (Isaiah 45:22) “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”  But, what if I do not have my map with me?

    When we make wrong turns we find ourselves outside of Christ.  We find that there is a separation between God and us.  (Isaiah 59:1-2) “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”  When we get out of the narrow path and start heading down the broad and wide we must change our directions.  This is called repentance.  Repentance is a turning away from sin and coming back to God (Acts 26:20).  Without turning back we stay straight on that road that leads to destruction.

The Road the Leads to Destruction

    The road that leads to destruction is full of traffic.  If you are following the guy in front of you, he will likely head this way.  (Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  If you are on that heavily traveled road you must see the signs and get off of it.  Luckily there are exits on this road so that we can get back to the straight and narrow one.  Yet, to find those exits you must seek them out.  The Bible clearly teaches us that if we seek we will find (Matthew 7:7).  Satan is there on that path trying to make sure you do not leave.  He would try and hide from you the simplicity that is in the true path (II Corinthians 11:3).  He will make many think that there are many paths that lead to Heaven.  Yet, Christ is the only way (John 14:6).  Once you find your way back you must not leave that path again.

Conclusion – Staying on the Path

 At the end of the Apostle Paul’s journey he penned these words: (II Timothy 4:6-8) “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”  We are going to have to fight, have faith, and look to the end of this course to make our final destination.  The trials of our faith will be many.  The chances to leave the straight and narrow path we be great.  The faithful, who continue steadfast in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58), will overcome because the Lord gives us the victory (I Corinthians 15:57).