Finding our Way

Have you ever experienced the feeling of being lost? A few years ago while on a medical mission’s trip to Ecuador I decided to take an afternoon run. After completing about two miles or so, I decided to head back to the house. Although I had tried to monitor every twist and turn, upon my return I realized I was lost. Needless to say there was a momentary feeling of panic that hit me as several obstacles began to appear in my mind. It was getting dark. I did not speak their language. Added to that was the thought that I did not have an address or phone number for where I was staying. I was thinking “what in the world am I going to do?” After walking around for a few minutes trying to find my bearing a thought suddenly came to me. The house my team and me were staying at had a church nearby, and on that church stood a tall cross. If I could find that cross, it would help me to get to my destination. I found a tall concrete monument on one of the streets close by and crawled to the top. Stretching as far as I could in the distance I saw it and what a beautiful sight it was. I jumped down and began to run as hard as I could in the cross’s direction. In a few minutes I found myself standing in front of our temporary home with a feeling of relief. Each of us has similar experiences in life, especially as it relates to our spirituality. We find ourselves running with the cares of the world and with kingdom responsibilities but losing our way in the process. When this happens, how do we find our way back? We search for the cross. Is this not what Paul was stressing in Ephesians 2:16-17? “Jesus came to reconcile us to God through the cross… 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” All of us need to remember that in temporary times of feeling lost, we should always look for the cross. It is that memorable landmark that will help us find our way and lead us safely home.