Where Am I?
- Richard Selke
- Dec 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 31
December 4, 2024
LISTEN TO AUDIO
I was out for an early morning run and it was still dark. I’d arrived at the hotel late the night before, crawled into bed and had immediately fallen asleep.
I’d been running for about thirty minutes when it suddenly occurred to me that I had no idea where I was. I could not remember what town I was in. I could not even remember what state I was in!
For the past several months, I’d been travelling around the nation taking depositions in a large class action lawsuit that involved multiple defendants and thousands of plaintiffs. I’d been in cities throughout Florida, Michigan, New York and the Washington, D.C. area.
At first, I felt lost – but I wasn’t totally lost. I could turn around and find my way back to the hotel. But I was disoriented and the feelings I felt were not comfortable.
As I continued my run, the sun rose and I saw a sign up ahead. It read: “JASPER CITY LIMIT.”
And I remembered where I was – East Texas!
Later, as I pondered my predicament, I thought about my feelings. I’d lost my bearings. I felt confused, helpless, perplexed, unsettled and out of control. And I thought about how I can become disoriented in ways other than just geographic – emotionally, spiritually – even in my faith journey.
Have you ever felt lost – not just in a physical sense but in your heart or spirit? That feeling of being unsure where you are or where you're headed can happen to anyone, even in their walk with God.
Throughout our lives, whenever we become disoriented, how can we be certain that we remain on the right path and keep moving in the right direction? How do we avoid or at least minimize distractions? How do we learn the lessons that the Lord wants to teach us? How do we prepare for God to use us to His glory both in this life as well as the life to come?
The Bible reminds us: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV. When life feels confusing, God's Word becomes our compass.
It's important to remember and believe that this life from beginning to end is part of a divine journey. We are residents of this world, but we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. None of us chose to be here. This was Someone else’s choice, Someone else’s idea. Joseph Campbell said, “Life is like arriving late for a movie, having to figure out what was going on without bothering everybody with a lot of questions, and then being unexpectedly called away before you find out how it ends.” As Christian believers, we know how it ends for each of us – that there is more to life than this life. That we are on our way, not wandering aimlessly, destined for our heavenly home to be with the Lord forever and ever.
Os Guinness said, “Certainly we who follow Christ … know the home to which we are going. And we know not only the One who awaits us there, but also the One who goes with us on the journey. But we are still on a journey, and we are truly travelers. We are not wanderers, but we are wayfarers. We have discovered that He is the way, but we are still on the road.”
As we walk this world, we are comforted with the promise that, no matter how disoriented we may feel and no matter where we are, the Lord is always with us. The Bible says, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go …” Genesis 28:15, NIV. The one thing we absolutely need is the one thing we can never lose – God’s presence with us!
When we’re going through a period of disorientation, how do we start to regain our bearings, confidence, security, clarity and certainty? In Genesis 3:9, the Lord calls out to Adam, “Where are you?” That’s a question for each one of us. Even in our disoriented condition, if we listen closely, we might hear the Lord calling our name. When He does, our response can be the same as Samuel’s, “Here I am!” (1 Samuel 3:4). When Jesus called his first disciples, he said, “Come, follow me …” (Mark 1:17) and at once they followed him. We can start from where we are and go from there. We can give the Lord our hand and our heart, surrender control of our lives to Jesus, and follow Him.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, we are here and the Lord is with us!
QUESTIONS
Have you ever felt lost or disoriented – whether geographically, emotionally or spiritually? What did you do?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking with us every step on this journey of life. In moments when we feel lost, confused, or disoriented, remind us that You are always near. Help us to trust in Your guidance and to surrender our uncertainties into Your loving hands. Light our path with Your Word and steady our steps with Your promises. We ask for clarity and courage to follow where You lead, even when the way is unclear. Teach us to listen for Your voice calling our name, and give us the faith to respond, “Here I am!” May our lives reflect Your glory as we walk with You, both now and forever.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, NRSV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
Comments