If you have never got lost, then you have never put a foot wrong and you are possibly a statue! At some point in life, we all lose our bearings and miss the way. The question is, what do you do about it? Sometimes you don’t realise straightaway that you are lost but it gradually dawns on you. A lapse of concentration or commitment to the journey is all it takes to become disorientated and open to real dangers. On a snowy day, you could end up stuck in a drift. On a foggy day, you could be headed to a cliff edge. At sea, you might get shipwrecked on rocks. It is a matter of urgency to get back on track, to find a familiar landmark or footpath sign so you can navigate the rest of the journey safely.
- ‘Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves’ – Henry David Thoreau
- ‘I have not lost faith in God. I have moments of anger and protest. Sometimes I’ve been closer to him for that reason’ – Elie Wiesel
- ‘I believe it matters how you treat people. I believe in Heaven. I don’t believe that this is it, and then we’re done. I have a lovely relationship with God, although when I’ve lost someone or I’ve seen a sick child, I’ve had conversations with Him in which I’ve had to ask, ‘How can that be right?’ – Melissa McCarthy
- ‘Nobody wants to see someone’s life ruined over a small-time lapse in judgment’ – Charlie Baker
The way often seems like a foggy path in our spiritual understanding. We may start off well but doubt, fear and disbelief can dog us as we encounter disappointment, suffering and temptation. Think for a moment of the courage of partially-sighted or blind skiers who completely trust their guide. You can see them go down steep slalom runs and even doing backflips – such an inspiration but also a great picture for trusting in God. In 2 Corinthians 5:7, the Apostle Paul said: ‘For we walk by faith, not by sight’. There will have been lapses in your faith or moral conduct but that does not mean God is ever going to give up on you. He is ever there to give you encouragement and reassurance back on to the safe path – all you need to do is ask for help and listen.
- ‘Now that which we see is as if we were looking in a broken mirror. But then we will see everything. Now I know only a part. But then I will know everything in a perfect way. That is how God knows me right now’ – 1 Corinthians 13:12
- ‘With rock piles and signposts, mark the road well, my dear people. The road by which you left will now lead you home’ – Jeremiah 31:21
- ‘Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered; he is full of kindness and anxious not to punish you’ – Joel 2:13
- ‘The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure’ – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Popular worship leader Matt Redman has spoken of having had a ‘quite turbulent childhood’; his father took his own life when Mr Redman was seven. Despite having written many worship songs and released over 15 albums, even in more recent times Matt needed to keep his eyes on God through other personal sorrows. Like a sandstorm, these threatened to blind him – with that in mind, be encouraged by his song: ‘I need you now’. Here’s a message from him: ‘If you wake up one morning and you cannot think of a reason to bring God some kind of offering of thanks or praise, then you can be sure there’s something wrong at your end of the pipeline, and not His’.
We’ve all struggled at times – if that’s you, let this be a helpful signpost to get back on track. If you’re not struggling, you can be sure someone you know is and you could use this to encourage them.
https://youtu.be/cgC4GlCMK8I?si=bzWIzNydbaJIflYq
