Spiritual Tip

James 1:5-6 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

“5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

I love the outdoors. I love hiking, camping, kayaking, and especially hunting white tail deer with a bow. Anything in nature charges my batteries! However, one of the pitfalls of hiking and exploring the woods is losing direction. Inevitably, on a good hike I will lose direction at least once. I have found a resource that is consistent and reliable at getting me back on the right path. That resource is a compass. It took me sometime to trust it completely. I would use it for a while, then walk by my gut feeling, then use it, and then wander some more. I have come to realize that regardless of what I think in the moment, I’m lost, no matter which direction I feel I should go. The compass is always consistent and accurate, while my gut feeling is not.  I’ve realized that the compass doesn’t care what I feel about it, or think about it, and it doesn’t need my approval or acceptance. It doesn’t change to match my beliefs, it simply gives me the truth and it does it consistently every time. 

James the half brother of Jesus, writes that there’s a spiritual compass that you can have. With it, you can navigate the challenges of this life. That compass is the Spirit of Christ. Invite Him into your life and allow Him to give you directions. Warning! Most times His direction will be opposite to your feelings. His directions will not be based on what you or our society thinks, nor will He change His directions if you reject them. His spiritual compass will always point you to the truth; to a direction that will prosper you and a destination that will give you life. 

Ken Brown

City Light Church, Lead Pastor; MCSO, Volunteer Chaplain