A few years ago, my husband and I volunteered to chaperone a weekend trip with my church’s youth group. A trailer, with a giant smiley face painted on its back and sides, hitched to the lead car held most of the kids’ gear. A number of cars carrying leaders and kids followed as we drove toward the Canadian border.
My place in line was a number of cars back. It was not difficult to follow the car ahead on the sparsely populated back roads. But the highway was another story. I kept a sharp eye on the same car I’d been tailing since we set off on our journey. When it passed other vehicles, so did I. Wherever it went I followed like a baby duck follows its mother.
At some point, I looked up beyond all the cars ahead, in search of the smiley face. It was nowhere in sight. I panicked, wondering how I’d gotten lost following the same car from the beginning. My husband couldn’t see it either. He was just along for the ride–sitting in the passenger seat–trusting me to get us where we needed to go.
I abandoned my position, passed the car I’d been tailing, and gunned it, in search of the smiley face. Relief washed over me when my husband spotted it. Once it was in my sights, there was no swaying me. I wouldn’t follow anything but the smiley face for the rest of the trip.
A few times, larger vehicles blocked the smiley face from view. Those moments made me nervous despite the fact that I knew it was still there. I kept an eye on the left as my husband kept an eye on the right, just to ensure it didn’t slip out into another lane without our knowledge. I didn’t realize just how tense I’d become until the smiley face reappeared and I relaxed.
Following that smiley face is much like our walk with Christ. When we take our eye off Him and follow others, even if we think they’re following Him and will help us stay on the right path, we can get lost. Sitting in the passenger seat, assuming that if you just stick with the person who’s driving, trusting they’ll bring you were you need to go is also a bad plan. We must remain vigilant.
How can we ensure we don’t get lost as we follow God?
TIP #1: Know Where You’re Going
In our spiritual journey, our end goal is to become as Christlike as possible, knowing we’re saved and headed to Heaven to spend eternity with God.
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” – John 14:2
“Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” – Philippians 2:12
TIP #2: Know How to Get There
When traveling, we use a GPS and/or a map to help us navigate. In God’s economy, to become more Christlike and get to Heaven, the Bible is our GPS and map.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” – Hebrews 4:12
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” – 2 Timothy 3:16
TIP #3: Ask for Directions
If you get confused reading a map, you can stop somewhere to ask for assistance. You should do the same in your spiritual journey. If you don’t understand something in God’s word or something trips you up, seek help. Talk to other believers.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” – Proverbs 27:17
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:12
TIP #4: Stay in Communication with the Leader
If I’d really needed to, I probably could have used my cell phone and called the leaders toting the smiley face trailer. They knew exactly where they were. I was the one who’d gotten lost. In your spiritual journey, if you feel lost, call out to God. He knows exactly where you are and can bring you back to Himself.
“Never stop praying.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” – John 15:5-8
Keep your eyes on Him, ALWAYS. Beware of growing complacent and drifting. Next thing you’ll know, you’re lost. Be vigilant. Follow Christ better than a baby duck follows its mother and all will be well.
You are loved,
J F Rogers