Compass

So, I had an idea the other day. We were going for our daily exercise and we decided to be a bit more adventurous (all within the rules you understand). So we struck out on a walk not quite knowing the route we would ultimately take. We had some ides, but wanted to go further than last time. Knowing we were going into unexplored territory, I packed bag: a flask of tea (can’t survive anywhere with out that); bag of sweets (for energy); phone (why not?) and of course a compass. I love the compass. When I was in something called The Campaigners (another version of BB or Cubs and Scouts), I won an award on a weekend camping trip for my use of the compass, navigating my team across Dartmoor. We’ve been friends ever since. A venture into unknown territory in lockdown, seemed the obvious time to be reunited with my compass. So in the bag it went. I was brimming with confidence. We had everything we needed. We had checked possible routes on the internet (desperately trying to commit them to memory). We knew roughly how the land lay. And off we went. All we had to do was to find the right path. The first part was easy. We knew the route. But soon came the time for a decision: which path do we want? And then it struck me. First, we had no map. Second, it was a long, long time since I had used a compass and I wasn’t really sure I could remember how to use one. There we were, uncertain of the way forward, with a compass I only had a vague recollection of how to use, and no map. Turns out a compass with no map is of very limited value! Eventually I figured out how to take a bearing (and was very pleased with myself), but my compass wasn’t able to tell me which way to go because I had no map! They work together you see. Map and compass. I did take some bearings. I pronounced we were walking in a south-easterly direction. We did get home because we recognised where we were and knew the way. But I didn’t do it by my compass! Truth is, if we had been in a position where we really needed a compass, we would have been lost! You need a map and a compass. And you need to know how to use them together. Lockdown is a challenging time. It is difficult time to navigate, a time when the way ahead in unclear. Difficult to do on your own. If ever there was a time when we need to trust ourselves to God, it is now. The way ahead is unclear and challenging. We cannot see clearly. We may feel lost and confused uncertain of where to go. Some of us are living with loss. But God is present. He is present even though we can’t see him. What is challenging is that he doesn’t simply tell us the path to take. He’s better than that. He wants to walk together with us. Like a map and a compass, they work best together. God and me. God and you. Walking through this valley together. A journey of trust and faith and hope. Done together with God.