Stop and Take a Bearing

I remember reading about the English explorer William Perry and his crew who were exploring the Arctic Ocean. At one point they felt that their investigation would be best served by heading further north, so they charted the stars and made a treacherous journey northward. Marching across ice flows, they crept along for hours and hours, and finally, nearly totally fatigued, they stopped. They quickly took another bearing on the stars only to find out that they were further south! How could it be? It didn’t take long to figure it out. They had been walking on an ice flow that was traveling south faster than they were walking north.

Sometimes life today can feel just like that. It can feel as though we are being pulled away from an awareness of God faster than we can move toward God. Busy schedules, entertainment options, demands of work, and family can all pull us in different directions. If we are not careful, we can end up feeling as though God is just a distant concept or idea, instead of a Spirit that is alive and present.

My prayer for you today is that you would make time to stop and take your bearings. Even in the midst of demanding schedules, pause, take a deep breath, re-connect to the Source of life. And as you do, may you find renewed energy, courage, and strength.

Let us pray: Eternal God, we thank you for your faithfulness to us. We thank you that no matter how far we feel we’ve drifted from you, you are still with us. Open our eyes and hearts to notice your presence – even here – even now. Amen.