The True North

 “At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭7:6-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/111/pro.7.6-9.niv

I know when I am going the wrong path.  My sense of direction warns me.  I feel confused and fearful.  In that moment, everything about the situation cries out to me to turn around.  In my youth I defied these warning signals falling headlong into a heap of trouble.  Why did I not change course?

The sense of adventure, misguided expectation, foolish bravery, or purely defiance to rules prompted me to take the path to destruction.  I threw away my compass gifted to me by loving parents, structured by the community, and shaped by society.  I insisted on my own freedom to choose, and experience, and experiment often to my own grief and loss.

Today it seems that internal compass is further misshapen.  Society’s morals are often mired in mixed messaging.  There is not one true way and anything goes.  It is even more dangerous to traverse pathways gilded with confusing signs and symbols.  In this hour and moment of utter bewilderment, stop.  Take stock of what is before you.  Pray and discern from the Holy Spirit that dwells in you the true north.  You will find your way back.