“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV).
Earlier this year, a Spanish navy ship was sent out to sea to charter new nautical maps. Ironically, the ship lost its way. The Malaspina was exploring an area west of the Mediterranean island of Ibiza when it grounded itself in the shallows. The funny thing about the crew’s ordeal is that the name Malaspina in English means to have a bad feeling.
Today, America is encountering a similar problem. Half of all Americans today rate the overall state of moral values in the U.S. as poor. This figure comes from a recent Gallop Poll released last summer.
At present, the number of mass shootings in our country has passed 330. From Uvalde to Buffalo to Dayton, feckless killers go on shooting sprees wounding and murdering dozens of innocent bystanders at a time. The problem runs rampant in small towns, as well as large urban centers.
A sense of community is being replaced by a rampant wave of narcissism. We no longer view ourselves as our brother’s and sister’s keepers. Our desire for the greater good is being supplanted by the notion of whatever is best for me.
We continue witnessing a lack of civility at every rung of the political ladder. Politicians cross one another with foul language and incendiary slights. Airline passengers place entire flights at risk because of their unruly behavior. Students threaten and inflict physical harm upon their teachers.
Many say that America has lost its moral compass. Personally, I think the compass is just fine. It just needs a lot of dusting.
In response to Solomon’s request of God to forgive the people of Israel for losing their way, God said,
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV).
The New Testament characterizes the act of turning from sin as repentance. Yet we are asked to do more than to turn away from wrongdoing. The message implied in the passage above is that we turn toward God. God not only asks that we turn away from something, but we are asked to turn to Someone.
Turning in a new direction requires a renewed pledge to follow the eternal path established by Jesus rather than the internal pull of our own selfish desires. Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith. Jesus leads us in paths of right living. Jesus is both our Navigator, as well as our Northstar.
Too often we ask ourselves the wrong question. WSID? What should I do? Over a century ago the renowned author, Charles Sheldon, wrote the book, In His Steps, where he coined the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” (WWJD). I am of the mind that asking the right question will lead you ultimately in the right direction.
Why not try the question on for yourself today? Get the day aimed along the right trajectory. Charting a new course will keep your ship from being grounded in shallow water.
Earlier this year, a Spanish navy ship was sent out to sea to charter new nautical maps. Ironically, the ship lost its way. The Malaspina was exploring an area west of the Mediterranean island of Ibiza when it grounded itself in the shallows. The funny thing about the crew’s ordeal is that the name Malaspina in English means to have a bad feeling.
Today, America is encountering a similar problem. Half of all Americans today rate the overall state of moral values in the U.S. as poor. This figure comes from a recent Gallop Poll released last summer.
At present, the number of mass shootings in our country has passed 330. From Uvalde to Buffalo to Dayton, feckless killers go on shooting sprees wounding and murdering dozens of innocent bystanders at a time. The problem runs rampant in small towns, as well as large urban centers.
A sense of community is being replaced by a rampant wave of narcissism. We no longer view ourselves as our brother’s and sister’s keepers. Our desire for the greater good is being supplanted by the notion of whatever is best for me.
We continue witnessing a lack of civility at every rung of the political ladder. Politicians cross one another with foul language and incendiary slights. Airline passengers place entire flights at risk because of their unruly behavior. Students threaten and inflict physical harm upon their teachers.
Many say that America has lost its moral compass. Personally, I think the compass is just fine. It just needs a lot of dusting.
In response to Solomon’s request of God to forgive the people of Israel for losing their way, God said,
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV).
The New Testament characterizes the act of turning from sin as repentance. Yet we are asked to do more than to turn away from wrongdoing. The message implied in the passage above is that we turn toward God. God not only asks that we turn away from something, but we are asked to turn to Someone.
Turning in a new direction requires a renewed pledge to follow the eternal path established by Jesus rather than the internal pull of our own selfish desires. Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith. Jesus leads us in paths of right living. Jesus is both our Navigator, as well as our Northstar.
Too often we ask ourselves the wrong question. WSID? What should I do? Over a century ago the renowned author, Charles Sheldon, wrote the book, In His Steps, where he coined the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” (WWJD). I am of the mind that asking the right question will lead you ultimately in the right direction.
Why not try the question on for yourself today? Get the day aimed along the right trajectory. Charting a new course will keep your ship from being grounded in shallow water.