Are You Direction Disabled?

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.



Following the Word of Truth


I am direction disabled. Although it wasn’t properly diagnosed until I earned a driver’s license, the symptoms were there early on. In elementary school I did well in all my subjects, but always failed the map-reading tests. As a teenage driver who necessitated more instructions than most, I tried my dad’s patience as he wrote out detailed maps and explicit directions – telling me to turn right or left at the landmarks, because North and South at street signs simply didn’t register in my off-course mind.


Although my sense of direction hasn’t improved much as an adult, I am thankful for the tools that are now available to me: an electronic compass in my vehicle, Internet sites that tell me precisely how many miles to go before turning left, and a cell phone (only one call away from my husband who knows I’d be lost [literally!] without him.)


Our culture is direction disabled, not in charting its way from place to place, but in following the path of truth that God desires for life. People seek guidance from horoscopes and talk shows, opinion polls and traditions, their emotions and gut instincts. Sin takes us off-course every time.


Thankfully, God has not abandoned the direction of our lives to guesswork or speculation! I am so thankful for the ways He leads and guides us! God has revealed Himself, shown us His truth and the way we should live, through the written Word (the absolute, God-inspired Word of Truth – John 17:17), through Jesus (the incarnate Word, the way, the truth, and the life – John 1:1-2, John 14:6), and the Holy Spirit (our Counselor, the Spirit of Truth – John 14:16-17).


David persistently prayed that God would guide him into paths of truth. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Psalm 86:11) Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me. (Psalm 25:4-5) Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me. (Psalm 43:3) Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. (Psalm 119:43) Our prayers should mirror David’s – asking God to guide us into paths of truth.


Our sinful tendencies are to trek our own course, a destination that leads to death. God desires that we walk in His truth, that leads to Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life for direction-disabled sinners.


Today’s Prayer:
Father God, show me Your ways and guide me in Your truth. Give me a heart that wants to follow You. When I get off-course, please forgive me and steer me back to Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



From: New Wine Skin - By Lenae Bulthuis