Tonight’s family service looked at the theme of ‘Directions For the Year’. If we want to be people who follow God, we need to stay on course on the path He has revealed (see Ps 119:1-5, The Message), running with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1-3) Nowadays, we use maps, signposts and SatNavs to direct us; God’s Word acts as a ‘life-map’ to us: ‘The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.’ (Ps 19:7-8) We keep our way pure by living according to this Word: ‘How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of You; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. (Ps 119:9-10)
In order to avoid detours, ditches and potholes on our journey towards God, we need to:
- watch our step (Ps 119:101-102). It’s much easier to do this in the daytime, and we are urged to walk in the light as God is in the light (see 1 Jn 1:5-7, 1 Thess 5:6). God’s Word acts as a lamp for our feet (Ps 119:105), but we need to take heed of what He says and obey that word, not ignoring it.
- choose God’s way. Jesus talks of the narrow path and the broad path (Matt 7:13-14) and we must be aware that there is a path that seems right to us, but actually leads to death (Prov 14:12) If we don’t choose God’s way, we risk making the same mistakes over and over again (rather like Clark Griswold driving round the roundabout in London over and over again in the film ‘National Lampoon’s European Vacation.) The way to avoid this is to constantly pray, as Jesus did, ‘not my will, but Yours be done.’ (Luke 22:42)
- turn around when necessary. This phrase may strike dread into our hearts when uttered by a SatNav because it means admitting we have gone wrong, but repentance is the only way back to God (see Rev 2:5, Rev 3:15-18) Jer 31 tells us to ‘set up signposts to mark your trip home. Get a good map. Study the road conditions. The road out is the road back.’ (Jer 31:21) God wants us to change our behaviour (see Eph 4:22-32) and to allow His transformation to take place within us (2 Cor 3:18).
