Finding Your Way Back
"...Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13)
On a recent trip to Johannesburg, I went out for a 12 mile run, leaving from the home of the friends I was staying with. I wasn’t familiar with the area, but I also wasn’t going to run in circles for 12 miles, so off I went. What I did know was that Pretoria Road was my landmark and would lead me home. After a few miles I turned to the right and began to explore new territories. I enjoyed seeing beautifully manicured lawns, the scents of blooming flowers, and generally just soaking in the beautiful day. At times I was lost in the music of my trusty running companion and at other times I was simply lost in thought.
After several miles I decided that I should begin heading back toward Pretoria Road and so I began to go in what I believed to be that direction. The only problem was I kept running, but without finding my landmark. I am normally good with a sense of direction so I reasoned that if I kept going I would eventually find my way. (I definitely didn’t want to stop and ask for directions because, after all, I am a man!) So I kept going.
After running for several more minutes I began to lose confidence that I would find my way back without some help, so I swallowed my pride, and asked directions of a young man who was tending a yard. I took off in the direction he told me, only to need to ask another person a while later. After following his directions I asked a third person and, with his help, I finally made back to Pretoria Road. Each of the 3 men helped me get back, but I was much more lost than I had realized.
The same thing happens sometimes in life too. We’re “running” along doing our own thing, completely lost in the matters of life, when suddenly we realize that we don’t know where we are going or maybe even why we’re “running” in the first place. King Solomon spent a lot of his “run” lost. He finally found his way and concluded, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc. 12:13) When we lose our way, that’s the landmark that will take us home.
I didn’t mean to be lost and it happened so gradually that I cannot even tell you when it happened, but I was lost nevertheless. It was so comforting to finally make it back to the safety of home and to have a glass (or six!) of refreshing ice water. It is also comforting and refreshing to find your way in life. If you’ve lost your way, don’t be afraid to ask for help – it’s worth it to be able to find your way back! Think about it.
Gotta run!
Keith
