Articles
Message of the Month
Years ago we had a calendar hanging in our den featuring beautiful nature scenes. One of them was a pristine lake reflecting majestic mountain peaks in the distance. On the water is a man in a kayak. The caption reads: “Destiny. You are the captain of your own vessel. Aim for a port and use your heart as a guide” (Motivations: A Sixteen-Month Inspired Visions Calendar—Year 2007).
Are we the captain of our own vessel? What port should we aim for? Is our heart a safe and reliable guide?
Is this message good, inspirational advice, or does it reflect the spirit of our age? What is the spirit of our age? Self-determination. Individualism. Subjectivism.
If we take the subjective approach, we’ll look within ourselves and go with what seems right. But what if ten different people do this? How many of them would arrive at the same beliefs, values, and goals? In other words, can they find unity with others by looking within themselves?
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov. 14:12). “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool . . .” (Prov. 28:26a).
When we walk outside after dark, our eyes are not designed to produce light but only to receive light. Light comes from outside ourselves—a lamppost, flashlight, or some other objective source.
Spiritually, it’s a dark world out there! If we look within, we’re still in the dark. In contrast, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). All who use God’s objective standard will not only have all the light they’ll ever need, but they can all arrive at the same destination.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
