Who’s Your True North Compass?

Picture this:

You’re setting out on a road trip from Arizona to California with your little talkative toddler in the backseat. As you hit the open road, gospel music on the radio, you can’t help but compare this physical journey you’re on and the broader journey we call life.

Traveling has taught me many valuable lessons, and just as we use our gps to navigate the freeways, there’s wisdom to be found from God in how to navigate life’s twists and turns.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭‬‬

Proverbs 3:5-7 offers ageless advice that resonates with the humble realities of a long (10.5 hr drive for us yesterday!) family road trip. Let’s ruminate in this wisdom together.

As we begin this journey, it’s important to remind ourselves that we don’t have all the answers. In spite of our knowledge of the route or experience as a mother, we must remain humble. Just like referring to the gps or other travelers for directions, humbleness prompts us to seek wisdom beyond our own understanding.

In the context of our road trip, this humility might manifest as accepting traffic delays with patience, admitting when we’ve taken a wrong turn or graciously apologizing and giving a wave when driving inadvertently causes annoyance or frustration to other drivers. Yes, we faced all of these yesterday.
Likewise, in life, humility invites us to pursue advice, listen attentively to the experiences of others, to be open to learning and growing (even when we think we know it all) and most importantly, repentance; humbly admitting when we’re wrong and turning from our sins against God.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (NIV)

As we trek on, we notice that a successful road trip relies not solely on our own knowledge but also on external guidance. I don’t know about you but I can barely make it out of my neighborhood without a gps! Similarly, but more importantly, Proverbs 3:5-7 reminds us to respect and honor God, our ultimate shepherd in life. Having this acknowledgment of God’s authority over our lives and putting Him in His rightful place, as Good, Trustworthy and All-Powerful Mighty God, provides us with invaluable direction.

Before every trip our family takes, we pray for safety and protection, seeking God’s wisdom and guidance as we make decisions. We trust in Him to steer us through unfamiliar places and challenging situations, even when we want to go our own way. We aren’t to lean on our own understanding but in our life we are called to honor God. This looks like seeking His Will through prayer, studying His Word, and aligning our choices with His never-changing wisdom. I’m going to shamelessly plug Blue Letter Bible and YouVersion Bible here because it’s really convenient and an absolute privilege to have a Bible app at our fingertips.

Avoiding the ditches

In the same way we carefully choose the best paths for our family – Proverbs 3:7 encourages us to “stay away from anything that is wrong.” This not only applies to the physical road we travel but also to the choices we make in life. We, as believers in Christ, strive to avoid destructive or unhealthy influences, ungodly and sinful behavior, and any temptations that may lead us astray from Him. In doing so, we create a safer, more harmonious and peaceful environment for ourselves and our loved ones where love abounds and wisdom takes root.

As we continue our travels, both literally and metaphorically, I encourage you to also embrace the wisdom found in Proverbs 3 with humility. Let us acknowledge our limitations as humans and seek our guidance beyond ourselves and instead from the Mighty Creator who created us. By honoring His authority over our lives and straightening our choices to His will, we can navigate life’s roads with purpose and confidence.

Together, let’s embark on this adventure with humbleness, trust in God, and the courage to make choices that lead us to glorify God and bring us closer to His purpose for us.