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A Compass, Not a Map – At the Threshold · Still, Here

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: This is still here, a quiet moment to remember what is true.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: Listen to these words from the book of Romans, chapter 12, verse 2.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: Don't be conformed to this world,
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Many of us learn to think about God's will as a map.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Somewhere there is a route already drawn.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Our job is to discover it,
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: stay on it, and avoid the wrong turn that might take us outside God's plan.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: That way of thinking can make the future exhausting.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: Which decision is right?
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Which door is God's door?
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: What if I choose badly?
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: What if I misunderstand what he is saying?
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: A map tells us every road before we travel it.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: A compass does something different.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: It gives us direction.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: Paul connects the will of God with transformation and the renewing of the mind.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: As we are changed within,
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: we become increasingly able to recognize what is good, well-pleasing, and complete.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: Discernment grows from formation.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: God is not simply trying to hand us instructions.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: He is forming a person who can walk with Him.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: That changes the way we think about the future.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: There may be more than one faithful possibility in front of you.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: More than one way to use your gifts.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: More than one place where love can take form.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: More than one decision that can lead toward an abundant life with God.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: The future does not have to narrow into one hidden answer you are afraid to miss.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: There may be many possibilities, but there is one direction.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Toward God.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Toward Love.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Toward Truth.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: Toward Life.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: Toward the person the Spirit is forming you to become.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: That is why inner work matters.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: When fear, shame,
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: comparison or the need for approval is directing us,
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: even a good opportunity can pull us away from ourselves.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: As our lives become more coherent with grace,
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: we begin to recognize which possibilities allow that grace to keep moving.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: A compass does not remove uncertainty.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: It gives enough direction to take the next step without possessing the whole journey.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: You may not know what the next year will hold.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: Work may change.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: Relationships may change.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Culture and technology will keep changing.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: Your own circumstances may change in ways you cannot predict.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: You do not need the whole map today.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_00: You need to keep turning toward God.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: The Spirit can guide a life that is moving.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: Take a moment for this prayer of presence.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: Lord God, I confess how often I want certainty before I am willing to move.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: I want the whole map because uncertainty makes me feel exposed.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: Renew my mind and turn my life toward you.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Give me wisdom for the next faithful step and enough trust to leave the rest of
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: the road in your hands.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: Keep my heart turned toward love, truth, and the life you desire for me.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: And as you move on to what comes next, carry this prayer with you.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: I do not need the whole map.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: God turns me toward Him.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: I do not need the whole map.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: God turns me toward Him.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: I do not need the whole map.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_00: God turns me toward Him.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, stay steady, stay open, stay present.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: You are still here.