It is an amazing device which can guide you out of a place of isolation or lead you to a new destination. Each compass tells the travels of its owner, never forgetting the path that it has traveled.
When you are lost, it is important to have things to help you survive. The Boy Scouts taught me to always be prepared. When I would go on a camping trip I would always pack matches, water, food, an emergency blanket, whistle, and other necessities all neatly folded into a light weight survival pack. One of those items was my compass.
I remember being out in the woods and making orientation courses with my fellow Scouts. We would camp out at Avondale Scout Ranch just north of Baton Rouge, LA., and the orientation courses were several miles long often with a simple trinket or piece of candy as the prize. These childhood games sharpened my skills, and to this day, I can orient a map and find my way out of the woods. I’m a survivor at heart.
If you have been in the web development business for any period of time, you have seen trends come and go. New technologies have built a dense digital wilderness and it is easy to get lost. Many times you feel that you are cutting a path through knowledge and when you look back at your trail, the new growth is already closing in and covering your tracks. Things change so fast. You have to stay sharp and on the cutting edge at all times. The journey is relentless.
It is hard to know how to grow when you don’t have a clear trail to walk through that wilderness. When you are lost you have two choices – stay put and risk becoming obsolete, or, simply take that first step and start walking a straight path. A straight path will eventually lead you out of the chaos.
As I work and continue to perfect my craft, I spin the compass on my desk when I am in deep thought. Now although the body of the compass is spinning out of control, the needle is steadfastly pointing due north. This reminds me of two things.
First, God is always in control. Regardless of the craziness in your life, God always shows you the way.
Secondly, when presented with a challenge of finding your way through tough situations, trust your instincts.
Find your compass and start your journey.
