WHERE WE LOOK FOR GUIDANCE

Odd, isn’t it, the places we look for guidance these days? Some look to the stars for lucky lottery numbers, hoping some twist of chance, some fluke of fate will make them instant millionaires. Others search online for advice about love from people they’ve never met, hoping for riches they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t need, so they can impress people they don’t like.

Some even seek direction revealed by the deal of a deck of cards, or fortune told by the marks in the palms of their hands.

All the while, in most of our homes is a Book, written for us by the Creator of the Universe, containing every instruction we need for life and peace, joy and love, fulfillment and purpose, just waiting to be read and followed: the Bible.

Are you looking for joy in life? The Book says you can find it in a relationship with Jesus: “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

Need advice about love? One little chapter of the Book shows fifteen practical ways to be a more loving person: “Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast, nor is it arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

Wondering about direction for your life? The Book says: “Because the Lord is righteous and good, He teaches sinners the path they should follow. He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them His will” (Psalm 25:8-9).

There’s lot more in the Book for you to read and live by. God made sure it all gotten written down for you, because He loves you and dreams wonderful dreams for you. Like David said in Psalm 119:1, “Oh, the joy of those who live lives of integrity by following the Lord’s word!”

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, a time came when some of His followers began to disagree with His teaching because it was contrary to the common religious sentiment of the day. Some even forsook Him. When this happened, Jesus asked His closest followers, “Do you want to leave also?” Peter’s answer speaks for all who are seeking the truth: “To whom could we go, Lord? You’re the only One Who has the words of life.”

Indeed.

So rather than have someone look at marks in the palms of your hands, focus on the marks in the palms of His hands, for they remind you that He loves you and has a good plan for you – all written down for you in His Book.

And if you’ll read His Book, you’ll never have to try to read His mind.