The Golden GPS: 3 Ways Lost Men Can Find Direction
Last month I shared a post here about why lost men don’t ask for directions. We explored some of the things that make men reluctant to stop and ask for directions. We determined that it really is ok for us men to admit when we are lost. And it’s definitely ok to seek direction. In fact, it is vital.
But what we didn’t discuss was – where should we be getting our directions?
Now that I am on the older side of 40, I’m starting to notice a few gray hairs on my head and face. I’m ok with going gray. Actually, I’m hoping that it might give me that “distinguished and wise” look that I’ve always lacked. But some men don’t like the thought of going gray. Some reach forGrecian Formula to return to their original hair color.
Grecian Formula, when applied daily for three weeks, gradually produces a pigment that restores color to gray hair. When I was growing up, it was endorsed by hockey legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard. He had used it himself, and was very pleased with the results. One of his lines in the TV commercial was, “The change was so gradual, and looked so natural, no one even noticed!”
In his book The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis writes, “The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
Satan likes the Grecian Formula approach to luring us off track. He entices us with distractions so gradual and so natural that, unless we have signposts or milestones to give us direction, we don’t even notice that we have gone sideways.
We need milestones. We need signposts. We need to know the instant we start going sideways. We need a GPS to tell us when we are veering off course and to recalibrate our route to get back on track. But not just any GPS. We need the Golden GPS.
G = God’s Word
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. – 2 Timothy 3:16
I hit spiritual bottom in 2005. I allowed myself to be totally duped by Satan’s lies. I was prepared to make some choices that would have shattered my family. Until I picked up my Bible. I read that what I was considering was wrong. And that started me back on the road to restoration. How often do you read your Bible?
P = Prayer
Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. – Psalm 143:1,8
God not only gives us direction through His written Word but also through prayer. How often do you pray?
S = Siblings in Christ
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:12
I cannot stress this enough. Life is a team sport. I meet with two accountability partners on a weekly basis. We are completely transparent with each other. We encourage and challenge each other to focus on things that truly matter. How often do you meet with an accountability group of other believers?
How is your GPS?
“And then it hit me just how much a GPS device is like God: He never abandons us or gives up on us; he is always there, no matter how far off course we are – waiting to recalculate the route. I love that about God.” – Steve Arterburn
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So the moral of the story is, dye your hair and go to hell?
Just kidding. This is seriously good, Larry. I love posts that don't just tell you what you need to do but outlines the steps in how to do it.
Yikes! Nope, as far as I know there is no connection between hair dye and hell. Rocket Richard fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks, Tony!
Great post Larry! Can't argue with those points.
Thanks, Kevin!
Great word man! I joke with my workmate about going Grecian all the time, but maybe I shouldn't
Ooh yeah, never joke about stuff like aging, going bald, going gray or anything like that. Before you know it you're old, bald and gray and wondering what happened! Thanks, Mo.
Great analogy and acronym. It is amazing how the littlest of compromises can start us down a path we don't want to go on. But God helps us with GPS. Love it!
Thanks Larry.
Yep, it's so easy to drift off course bit by bit until we have no idea how we got there. Gotta like the GPS for the right direction. Thanks, Jason!
Argh! Lately I have been getting off course. And yes it was subtle.
I think it would help to have a brother in Christ who could keep me accountable but to be honest I haven't found a whole lot of them in life.
There seems to be an impression that men can make it on there own. Maybe most of us are just too uncomfortable to form close bonds with other guys.
One of the reasons I created Strive for Maturity was so this could be a place of encouragement for men when it seems nobody cares.
You, other contributors and commenters help make that happen.
Thanks Larry for posting this!
Yes, it is tough for us as men – especially those of us in a pastoral role – to find other men we can be totally transparent with. It's definitely not something that happens overnight, but it is something that must be sought and worked at. I'm hoping to explore this in future posts.
I appreciate you providing this venue, David, for us to share our struggles and victories, and to encourage each other. Glad to be part of the team!
3 Ways Lost Men Can Find Direction: http://goo.gl/JXE8p #Christian
The Golden GPS: 3 Ways Lost Men Can Find Direction http://t.co/qZGE2kR via @strivematurity
Slow and gradual, one step at a time. I can relate to that for sure. I look back on the events of my life and it is hard to believe I was deceived as I was. I now realize it was that slow one step at a time approach that allowed that to happen. I'm thankful now that I can see God's grace through it all and now He's turned something evil to His glory.
And in the same manner, we can find ourselves falling into bad behavior (SIN!) like the boiling frog!!
Blessings as we men stay on track and if really needed
as for directions!!!
Jim
I can definitely relate to what you've shared here, Jim. Each small step in my 2005 crash seemed acceptable compared to the last, but I was the oblivious frog that sat in a pot of gradually warming water. Before I knew it the pot was boiling! That's such a good analogy.
Thanks for sharing!