Navigating Life: True North
I have sung at hundreds of weddings and have officiated at many as well. At the weddings I had the honor of speaking, I use the gift of a compass as an illustration of navigating life and marriage together. There is a spiritual lesson that applies not only to marriage, but also to our own journey with and toward God. A compass points to true north and helps us find our way through unknown and sometimes difficult places. There is a spiritual analogy with this compass: let me explain by focusing on the marriage illustration.
Ideally, marriage is the complete union of two people in both the joys and hardships of life. This was God’s plan from the beginning and is one of the sweetest blessings on earth. When we think of the old couple that still looks at each other with eyes of love after five or six decades together, we realize this is real and possible.
The reality of life, however, is that forces both within and outside marriage can pull people away from each other and the result can be catastrophic not only to the relationship, but also to each person. Our self-centered nature and the false promises of things and people outside of marriage can sabotage and even destroy a marriage.
I’m convinced that the first step toward maintaining and strengthening a marriage relationship involves personal spiritual orientation and movement. Like using a compass that points to true north, when two people make the choice to focus on and move toward “True North” — God —they not only move closer to Him but also to each other, through both good times and bad. This can only happen when God is the “True North” of both their individual lives and their marriage, as this illustration shows:
God
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/ \
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Husband & Wife
When this takes place both people can also grow in their love, care for, and service to each other— because God empowers them with His love and grace. Part of God’s plan for the “coming together” component in marriage involves the commitment of both people to the continuing, sometimes hard work of healing and nurturing their relationship. Looking to God and and caring for each other are of prime importance to a fulfilling life and marriage.
On a personal level, navigating through life involves the day-to-day decisions to move away from anything that points us away from God, and instead set our sights and trajectory toward Him alone. Ironically, we can’t do this in our own strength or efforts. We need God’s power, and this only happens when we are joined to God in the person of Jesus Christ. Surrendering our false goals and self-centered directions is part of the journey to experiencing God deeply.
We also need other like-minded and like-hearted people —authentic Christ followers who have actually experienced him—to help us to stay on course spiritually. As we all traverse with God and toward His future, we can help each other through the good and hard times of life. As we do this, we will also grow in our love and service for each other and for people near and far—just as God does. Looking to God and and caring for each other are keys to the fulfillment of Jesus’ design for all who collectively follow Him.
God desires that his amazing love and grace be unleashed in each of us and our relationships here on earth. I’ve attached the link to a song I wrote and recorded as a prayer for this to happen. It’s entitled “Grace Unleashed”and I hope it encourages you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP-hkceYWWE
God bless you!
Chris Atkins