TRIPLE “C”: THE CLOCK, THE CALENDAR AND THE COMPASS

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

As you read this, you probably are aware of the correct time within a few minutes, and of course today’s date is right there at your fingertips. You must know these time/date parameters because, after all, you have schedules, meetings and commitments that have time and date requirements.

Accordingly, you often check the time of day so you can meet your scheduled/changing commitments. Most likely you also check your calendar from time to time during the day to effectively “schedule” emerging meetings and events. This basically describes the way we men manage our daily lives. The danger here is that “the routine”, that comfortable status quo, can become “a rut”…that we have dug. Remember, momentum is only significant if the direction is correct. The clock and the calendar are valuable tools in life, but they have little-to-no directional guidance. Without this guidance, attaining core objectives, and more importantly our purpose, is put at risk.

The concept of a “compass check” is likely to be unfamiliar to most men. When I was training to be a naval aviator, I was cautioned that being just one degree off my required heading would put me 1 mile off course after only 60 miles of travel. This is known as “The 1 in 60 Rule”. A critical reality here was that the farther I flew, just one degree off course, the greater I would miss my destination, i.e., 120 miles=2 miles. Following this basic principle, and regular compass checks, saved me much embarrassment and perhaps my life on many missions at sea.

I believe we can carry this principle, the 1 in 60 Rule, into our daily lives and redeem many adverse scenarios. One of my all-time favorite books is The Moral Compass by Dr. William J. Bennett, first published in 1995. This 825-page classic is filled with hundreds of stories extolling the virtues of righteous conduct. Many of the stories are taken from the Bible and clearly demonstrate that we do have an internal “moral compass”. God’s gift for directional guidance, our conscience, is a moral compass for the life of each individual.

Here is an excerpt from Dr. Bennet’s introduction: “If an individual is to do good, the tenets of the heart must be informed and directed by a well-ordered mind. Prudence, meaning the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, must be regarded as a fundamental virtue. By prudence one is able to recognize the right choice in specific circumstances.” Prudence also means, skill and good judgement in the management of resources; caution and circumspection as to danger or risk; and sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs. An understanding of the meaning of prudence is critical. Although it often appears in Proverbs, it is seldom used in modern parlance.

Navigating across the open sea, the mariner faces the forces known as “set” and “drift”. Set is the bearing or direction the ocean current is flowing, and drift is the speed or magnitude of the current. Surface wind is a factor with drift also. The most powerful of these currents, the Gulf Stream, flows northeastward at 5.8 mph just a few miles off the Eastern Seaboard. During the colonial period, sea captains discovered this current and sailed north of it coming to the colonies and sailed with the current returning to England, saving several days both ways.

We also must navigate our voyage of life in a sea of various cultural forces of “set” and “drift”. We all need to periodically do some degree of course corrections for our lapses in our commitment to “run our race with perseverance”. Thankfully God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide, as a master compass, to ensure we can navigate often uncharted waters, and are empowered to stay on course for the very purpose He has redeemed our lives…even in stormy seas.

Remember this principle, momentum is only significant if the direction is correct. Paul gives us some great guidance on direction in one of my favorite passages: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14. Men, we can do this! Ephesians 2:10c will help you discover your life purpose!

Lastly, this reminder: “He leads me in paths of righteousness”. We must not ever forget that He is the leader, and we are the follower and that, His name is on the line, not ours…it’s “for His namesake”, that He leads us! Bon Voyage!