I wonder what would happen if we took down all our road signs. They tried it in the second world war – removing them so invading armies wouldn’t be able to find their way. Although it probably meant that anyone who didn’t already know where they were going wouldn’t get there at all, friend or foe.
Today we have SatNav, pop in the address and follow the directions. Easy. No signposts required. Unless the GPS signal fails or your battery dies.
Of course, you have to know where you’re going if signposts or navigation systems are to be of any use. I saw on a poster the words: if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.
It makes quite a useful metaphor as we try to find our way through our experience of life. Do you wander aimlessly? Or do you have a destination? And if you do, how do you know the way?
Someone has put a placard on a lamppost I cycle past, quoting Jesus saying. “I am the way” “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
A destination and a signpost.
And keeping on track is by responding to the last recorded words of Jesus to the rich man: “Come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
Raymond