STAYING on course
People have a ‘navigation system’ from God
By Greg Grotewold May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13, ESV The terrain of northeast South Dakota has always fascinated me. Its corn and soybean fields are adjoined by an assortment of winding creeks, sprawling lakes and wetlands, and the majestic prairie of the Coteau Hills. Growing up, I spent a significant amount of time hunting and fishing this motley topographic masterpiece.
Recently back to see my dad and in a reminiscent mood, I asked my son, Luke, if he wanted to go for a drive. He needed some additional hours behind the wheel for his license, and I wanted to revisit some of my old stomping grounds. We weren’t but five minutes into the drive when all of these wonderful memories started to come flooding back. A particular field or lake would produce a particular recollection of a certain shot or catch. And, of course, there was the added benefit of seeing the abundant wildlife that continues to thrive in this rich habitat. Acting like a little kid in a candy store, I startled Luke more than once as I perhaps too enthusiastically pointed out a pheasant running in the ditch or a red-tailed hawk flying overhead. Of particular note were the thousands of snow geese we saw. Taking a respite from their spring migration to the breeding grounds in Canada, the large flocks seemed to cover every inch of open water. It was a Saturday afternoon well spent. The following day, as we headed back home to the Twin Cities, I found myself thinking about those geese, particularly their annual trek north. Knowing that they typically nest in the exact same location every year, I began wondering how they navigate the long journey with such precision. In doing a little research, it appears that in addition to various natural landmarks, geese (and other migratory birds) have a built-in compass. The mechanism allows them to see the Earth’s magnetic field, which aids in deciphering direction and triggering flight pattern adjustments so as to stay on course.* The ingenuity God used in creating these birds, particularly their navigation system, is astonishing – especially to someone like me who, on road trips, becomes quickly disoriented even with the aid of Google Maps. What’s even more impressive, though, is the navigation system the Lord bestows on His redeemed. We too have a built-in compass. The Holy Spirit helps us navigate our spiritual trek, empowering a life of joyful hopefulness. FREE Bibles • Pray y for U.S. Armed Forces
This tribute to our friend & colleague is a compilation of all his articles; Dan’s personal photos & art, even some that were never published. You’ll thoroughly enjoy this walk down memory lane.
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34 July / August 2021 | Christian Living
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