Dava
Sobel’s award-winning book Longitude describes a dilemma faced by early
sailors. They could readily determine their latitude north or south of the
equator by the length of the day or height of the sun. Calculating east/west
longitude, however, remained complex and unreliable until English clockmaker
John Harrison invented the marine chronometer. This was “a clock that would
carry the true time from the home port . . . to any remote corner of the
world,” thus enabling sailors to determine longitude.
As we
navigate the seas of life, we also have a reliable source of spiritual
direction—the Bible. The psalmist wrote, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my
meditation all the day” (Ps. 119:97). Rather than occasionally glancing at
God’s Word, he spoke of pondering the Lord’s directions throughout each day:
“Your testimonies are my meditation” (v.99). This was coupled with a commitment
to obey the Author: “I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous
judgments” (v.106).
Like the mariners of old, we need a constant guide to help us find our way and stay on course. That’s what happens when we seek the Lord day by day with an open heart and a willing spirit that says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
With God as your navigator, you’re headed in the right direction. (RBC)
