Light for direction: My first devotion

Have you ever attempted to find a location and suddenly find yourself lost? You use your vague memory based on places you've been to many times before...... that 'certanty' that you've passed that street sign numerous times..... Google Maps has nothing on you!

Ok.... well.... maybe you had some idea of where you were going, but along the way you end up with GPS dyslexia and make a wrong turn! It takes you a few more streets before you realise you are in-fact miles away from where you were supposed to be.  In an attempt to correct your error of judgement, you then attempt to retrace your steps, but YET AGAIN take a wrong turn! Frustration kicks in as you start to wonder if it's even worth the hassle.

Then you take a small glimpse at your phone.... mmmm..... maybe "Google Maps will get me out of this little situation!" So you program in the directions, and just like that, you make your way there.  While you're heading to your destination, you have a few light bulb moments where some parts of your journey seem 'familiar'.  In-fact, you feel a little silly because you realise you could have gotten to where you were supposed to go in probably half the time if you had just gotten the help!

When you finally get to the destination, you start to wonder why you didn't just use the phone to begin with!

We've all been there.  Whether it's looking for a place or item, learning a new skill, learning a lesson..... or life in general.  Sometimes we try to do it on our own because we think we know ourselves well enough.  And when we make a mistake, rather than own up to it and ask for help, we hide and rapidly change course.  In turn our initial mistake ends up even bigger that it COULD be.  Which in turn causes us to get lost in the journey to our true destiny.

But you don't have to hide your mistakes or journey to your destiny on your own.  You don't have to try and figure which direction to turn or use past experiences to impact on future ones.  You don't have to sit frustrated in your moment of anguish and wonder how to get out of your rut! Consider Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." 

What a strong message of reassurance that you don't have to do life on your own! Why try to keep doing it on your own when there is an awesome God that's willing to put his hand out to help you? This same awesome God is willing to guide you to your true destiny and purpose.  He's willing to clear that cloud of frustration that comes over you when you don't know where to go next. All you have to do is close your eyes and ask Him for guidance.  He will answer your cry and give direction.  Psalm 32:8 quotes:

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Here are four things that God can assure you of:

1. He will rescue you if you are lost:

God cares about his children and will search for the ones who walk away from Him.  If you are lost and lack direction or purpose in your life, call out to him in prayer.  He will rescue you! I remember (before I found God) when I was lost and no direction in my life, I gained so much comfort from Psalm 91:4 when I heard it for the first time:

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and comfort."

2. God will keep placing you back on the right path:

When you steer off course or you're feeling like you're just not getting any closer to where you're supposed to be, ask Him for direction!  He will give you so many opportunities to reset yourself on the correct path.  In Matthew 7:8, it is clearly stated that when you seek God, you will find God.  When you ask God for guidance, he will give it to you.

"For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, 

and to the one who knocks it will be opened."

3. The Bible is your map:

The Bible gives so much insight and direction on how to live a life full of love, direction and purpose!  It can answer so many questions even when you think it can't be answered.  If you find the Bible confusing, it's worthwhile investing in a study bible or talking to someone who has a strong understanding of its meaning.

4. God will cleanse your past hurts and create a clean foundation for a great future: 

Don't allow the past to impact your future.  Even if you had a difficult or sinful past, you can be forgiven and cleansed.  Even if you were hurt, your hurts can be healed and peace can be restored.  Don't let the hurts of the past eat you up and destroy your life.  Give those burdens to God and gain strength to move forwards! You don't have to use the past to move forwards..... just let go! Move forwards and create a happy future full of love, happiness and purpose! Revelation 21:4 puts it beautifully:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

So rather than do life on your own, close your eyes and ask God for help.  Listen and meditate on his word.  Don't be afraid to ask, because He loves you and will help you through your hardships.  Allow him into your heart and you will learn lessons to strive, face challenges you never thought you could face and live an amazing life full of love and optimism that you never knew possible.