“Be still…” (Psalm 46:10a KJV)
Losing your bearings, not knowing exactly where you are, that is not something reserved for senior moments. Decades ago, I lost my bearings traveling to a small town in Tennessee to make a presentation. I went the opposite direction than I should have been going. I have driven in big cities and did not know whether I was going north, south, east or west. I can remember sitting in the class that had the right room number, waiting for students in a college class I was teaching to show up. No one ever arrived. Another adjunct faculty member came in the room, arriving early to prepare for his next class. When I explained what I was doing there, he informed me that I had the right room number, but the wrong building. Opps! I have gotten out of bed to turn off the alarm which was left on a chest of drawers a few feet from the bed and ended up walking into closets, full wall mirrors, and more than one chair. In all those situations, I lost my bearings. Has that ever happened to you? Did you find that the solution was to just be still, take your time, and figure it out?
As if my transparent stories above are not enough, let me share one recent experience where I lost my bearings. I’m still holding on to my premise that losing your bearings is not something reserved for senior moments. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Nevertheless, I shall share what happened this past Monday. I’m in a big box store, located only minutes away from my house. I go to that store many days during the week, and sometimes multiple times in the same day. You would think with all my experience in that store, I would never lose my bearings. Well, I did.
I go to the department where sports equipment is located. I’m looking for two soccer balls for an upcoming church event. I find what I was looking for as well as a miniature basketball. I turn to my right, thinking that I am facing the back of the store where I would find the aisle that leads to men’s clothing. Yes. I was having a “me” moment. But the further I got, I was in a totally different department, and I found myself looking at aisles filled with towels, sheets, blankets, and children’s bedroom décor. Do you want to know what I did next? Well, of course I will tell you. I remained still, and when I saw a stock clerk, a person who knew every inch of the store, I asked her to point me in the right direction. Look now! I’m still sticking with my story! Age had nothing to do with it!
Let’s find some purpose in this meditation beyond sharing my real-life stories, true stories that are in some way analogies for what happens to us in life on our Christian journeys. At times we end up in places where we have lost our bearings. For all practical purposes we find ourselves lost and needing direction, spiritual direction. My advice to you is to “be still. Wait for the top representative to help you, the Top Representative of heaven. Wait on the Lord to show up! And no matter what caused you to lose your bearings and no matter how lost you may seem to be, be comforted by just knowing that the Lord will show you the way to go. And just like any other time where you have found your bearings, you will also find sweet relieve and a revived sense of purpose, as well as reason to rejoice.
Today is Sunday! This is a great day to go to the house of the Lord and be in His special presence. You might even be blessed with some knowledge that will keep you from losing your bearings at some time in the future. Enjoy your worship experience today. Be blessed!
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King