From the Edges – Direction – Morning Devotional

From the Edges – Morning Devotions
Pastor Calvin Cook – June 5, 2024
Direction
Scripture focus – John 16:13-15 ESV 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Where I grew up at a crossroads in a rural area just a couple miles outside Dawson PA. Dawson is a small town nestled tight against the Youghiogheny River in northern Fayette County. Dawson was our closest town to go to for essentials, milk, bread, gas, etc. Commonly we would say as we were leaving home that we were going to town. From where we lived at the crossroads there were two ways that would easily take you to Dawson. One way was a quick 2 miles and the other maybe a half mile longer. From our house at the crossroads, depending on which of the two roads you decided to take the required one turn at a stop sign to get to the center of town. One way you would have to turn right, the other choice you would have to turn left. Both ways got you to where you were going, but each way required one decision, one turn, to arrive at the center of town where the stores, etc. were located.

One visitor to our house got lost going to Dawson. Instead of making that one simple direction to make a turn, went off on a side ride and ended up on a dead end. For some reason, this all came to mind this morning as I thought about my own life, some conversations I have had recently with others especially those seeking direction in life and the things of life.

I couldn’t help but think of the scripture focus this morning from John 16. The background and instruction being. We have one simple choice to make. We have a choice to make to either follow Jesus, accepting Jesus as our personal Savior who will bring redemptive power or not. It is that simple Yes or No. The second part of the decision gets difficult or at least we make it difficult. We become distracted by or attracted to the things of the world and instead of making that one simple decision to make the right turn, we often wonder off in some direction that will either take us to a dead end or another place we had no desire to go. It is up to us to make the right decision and choose the right direction.

We are reminded that for us and available to us is the Holy Spirit. In John 16:13-15 the Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of truth. For us when God speaks to us it is not the wrong direction given, yes there will be choices to make, but the direction will be good. The tough part is that the noise in the background is coming from evil, though sometimes it seems attractive and beautiful will only lead to a dead end or worse personal destruction.

I like these verses from John as a reminder of the unity of the Trinity. That for our good and for God’s purpose there is cohesive message that is same always. That message is simple – and confirmed in Matthew 11: 28-31 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

May our day begin with some heartfelt prayer that centers us to follow the will of God, the plans that have been laid out for us. May we pray for those who are struggling through the thoughts of where to go, who to listen to, and how to experience the rest of the soul that is only found in a committed life to all of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.