Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Feb. 21, 2012

“Asking for Directions”
“I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteousness Road.” – Proverbs 4:11 (MSG)

Traveling ain’t what it used to be! GPS units, “Tom-Toms”, and the like have made finding one’s destination less of an adventure and more like a techie paradise. That is, unless you are someone like myself who have not quite entered into that realm of electronics. I have decided to continue to get lost the good old fashioned way—by not reading a map or asking for directions. Consider the following…we enter into this life already lost. And no GPS or electronic device will make a difference in helping us find our way—we can only hope to find our way through seeking and finding God’s wisdom and love. I know I have probably used the following reference before but it remains, at least in my mind, the one passage that solidifies both the existence and power of the Almighty God and leaves little room for question:

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” – Romans 1:19-21 (NIV)

There are certain laws and “directions” that are the same wherever you live. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. If you are uncertain which direction you are going or need to go—look for the sun. If you are needing direction in life—look toward the Son. The following illustration gives strength to this: There was a scientist who thought religion was nonsense. He began having health problems, which led to some serious financial problems which in turn led to problems within his home. Many of his experiments failed. One day he made a pilgrimage to a shrine—mostly to get away from his troubles at work and at home. At the shrine he said to himself, "If I were not an agnostic, I might experiment with this superstition of religion." After convincing himself that he was going through the motions out of idle curiosity, he began the ritual. Halfway through, he thought, "If this were not folly, what would I pray for? Health? Money?" He continued the ritual, then suddenly he cried, "O God, I beg you. Enlighten my mind so I may invent something great to further our human knowledge!" Amazed, the scientist stood in a stunned silence. For the first time he realized what his true desires and motives were and for the first time he acknowledged that it was only through God that those motives could be achieved. Knowing this at last, Galileo began experiments which led to the invention of the telescope. People search for years trying to "find themselves." They could save time and a lot of heartache by seeking God instead! Like Galileo, once they find the Lord they will truly find themselves! Sometimes it is a matter of knowing when to ask direction…and knowing where to ask as well. Thankfully…you won’t need a GPS unit to do it.
Pastor J. T. Carnell