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The Compass, Our Navigator
By Robert Nettles

Sometimes we need better tools in order to stay on course.

s I pondered the different parables Christ told His followers, it got me to thinking there are concepts we may have as Christians that are not seen in the right light -- things that may lead us off course if we don't use the right tools to navigate our lives. I thought how our calling is just the beginning of the trip, and we must look at that calling in a different way if we want to stay on course.

I could now be counted among one of "the many," but our goal is to be counted among the "few" who, by staying faithful, remain among the "chosen."
Sometimes we see Jesus speaking in parables to the Pharisees. In Matthew 22:14 we read, "For many are called, but few are chosen." I remember when God first started calling me, there was no doubt that my way of thinking was being changed. I could now be counted among one of "the many," but our goal is to be counted among the "few" who, by staying faithful, remain among the "chosen." We know that there are those who have been called but suddenly disappear and leave the path that God has set for them. They get knocked off course. How do we stay on course so we can reach our goal of being counted among the few?

John 14:16-17 says, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn't see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you." Christ made a promise to send us "another" helper (the Holy Spirit), a promise He fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.

In Acts 2:1-4 we read, "And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (American Standard Version).

The compass, our navigator

"The Day of Pentecost is an annual reminder that God poured out His Spirit to establish His Church, the group of believers who are led by His Spirit."
I like to refer to this Helper, as do many others, as a compass or, if you will, a navigator. This navigator is our guide to follow the straight and narrow path. If we use our compass to guide us, we can follow that path; but if we ignore its readings, we can be led off course and lose our way. We all know that we have the ability to follow our own path. We all like to take shortcuts from time to time and that can really take us off course. If we look at the Spirit as a navigator or a compass and follow the direction it indicates, we will make it.

In May 2008 NASA landed the Phoenix on Mars. The Phoenix mission went smoothly for the most part, but more than two thirds of past missions have failed in some way. They were unsuccessful due mostly because of navigation errors made by NASA and/or not spending the time needed to accomplish the goal.

Another example of a failed mission from history: Most of us know that when Christopher Columbus discovered America, he was actually trying to find a shortcut to India. Because of this, we have for years been calling Native Americans, Indians. Columbus thought he knew a better way, but instead found something much different. In the long run, he ended up getting quite a reputation for his discovery, but his initial plan took him to a totally different destination and was a heavy price to pay for his crew. When we follow our own directions or take shortcuts, we can easily get lost.

The booklet , states: "God used these miracles [that took place on Pentecost] and Peter's preaching to add 3,000 people to His Church in one day. These converts were all baptized and received the Holy Spirit (verses 40-41 [of Acts 2]). From this pivotal point, God's Spirit has been available to all who truly repent and are properly baptized. The Day of Pentecost is an annual reminder that God poured out His Spirit to establish His Church, the group of believers who are led by His Spirit."

Acknowledging this inherent weakness of humanity, God lamented in Deuteronomy 5:29, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" (emphasis added).

If we follow the Compass, the Navigator, that God gave us -- if we continue to read the biblical directions daily and observe God's course corrections, which are the Sabbath and the seven annual Holy Days -- we will one day be counted among the few that will be chosen and not just the many that are called.

To read more from the booklet , request your free copy.

Copyright 2009 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.


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Other Articles by Robert Nettles
Origin of article "The Compass, Our Navigator"
Keywords: compass navigator Columbus Mars lander 

Holy spirit - comfort, encouragement:

God's calling: Key Subjects Index
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