Directionally challenged? Compass illiterate? Geographically confused? Join the club! There are many of us who can easily get lost inside of a mall, let alone the universe! It’s not that I’m totally unable to read a map book, nor that I can’t find my way home from the grocery store – once I locate my car in the parking lot! – but unlike my husband, navigation does not come naturally to me. That’s why I love GPS!

So what does that have to do with Tim and The Bridge from OneDayBow? Well, let’s take a look at chapter 9 to find out.

Tim just received the King’s Book – the Word of the King! – and although Tim had read through part of Emma’s, he is still a little in the dark concerning its purpose and capabilities. But not for long! Tim is about to get a short lesson in right navigation in the Kingdom:

The King said, “Navigation is surer by fixed light:

My Book provides clarity to walk by faith, not sight.

Who I am and what I speak is in here to be heard,

And it is by My Nooma you understand My Word.”

It’s worth noting, almost with a chuckle, that Tim is at the beginning of a journey that is completely unknown to him, in a place that he’s never been, without the familiar landmarks of HereAndNow. Tim may not fully appreciate it yet, but he is embarking on the totally unfamiliar and has just received the navigational tool that is going to save his bacon… so to speak! If he hadn’t already considered that, the next thing the King says should cement it in his mind:

“So when you’re confused or scared, or if you start to doubt,

My Book will point you to Me and help you figure out

What is really going on beyond what you can see.

Be aware of the battle, and act accordingly.”

Isn’t that alarmingly comforting? Obviously, Tim wasn’t going to be taking a walk in the park or having a day at the beach. That isn’t to say that good things aren’t ahead, but there are some things the King said that probably raised Tim’s eyebrows a little:

Tim would have times of being confused or scared and may even start to doubt!

He was in battleground!

Now that we’ve highlighted those seemingly negative aspects to his journey, let’s look at what Tim has received: The Book. Incase you missed the impact of this, let me say it again: The Book! Tim has received the Book that contains the King’s very words!!! And how will that help him as he faces confusion and fear and maybe even doubt???

Remember, Tim hasn’t just received a subscription to National Geographic, or even a Road Atlas; Tim has received the one Book that is capable of navigating him not only through an unknown territory, but through a new existence in that Kingdom. And what is the primary thing Tim will need to know, need to remember? Who the King is! It is from that start the Book can direct his life through every uncertainty, every circumstance, even every battle. It won’t eliminate the unpleasant bumps in the road, nor will it automatically take him where he doesn’t want to go. What it will do is provide the light to make it possible for him to navigate rightly.

And what does that mean for us who are followers of Jesus? Everything!

 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12, NLT Bible)

Did you catch that: “…you won’t have to walk in darkness…” If you are a born-again believer in Jesus, you have the light of Jesus! The light of The Word! Why would you walk in darkness if you don’t have to?

So how about you; are you making good use of the most important possession you will ever hold in your hand? Is your face in the Word and are you using it as the road map that takes you to the Truth of Who Jesus is? Are you relying on the Presence of the Holy Spirit while being mindful of the faithful character of Father God? Are you seeing past the battle to the One Who gives the victory? Are you navigating life by the Book?