It is important for each of us to decide how we will navigate our journey, and our best point of reference is True North.
True North – Geographical
True North is the place where “the imaginary rotational axis of the Earth intersects the surface of the Earth”.1 True North is the most reliable source for navigation via maps, compass, and electronic GPS devices.
Magnetic North can differ up to fifteen degrees from True North because of magnetic anomalies that take place in various geographical locations. To prevent getting lost while hiking, sailing, or driving – decide now to use True North to guide you via your paper map, compass, or electronic GPS device.
True North – Internal
True North can reference a person’s internal compass. Our internal compass can be based on our values or guiding principles that help us decide how we will navigate our journey through life.
Making decisions can be challenging! To help us decide, we often utilize various decision-making tools:
- Identify risks
- Label emotions
- Consider the opposite2
- List of pros and cons
Utilizing one or all of these tools will help us decide which path is the best one for us to take. However, we do not need to make decisions all alone. God is more than willing to guide us in every decision we need to make.
True North – Biblical
A lawyer asked Jesus, “What is the greatest commandment?”
Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”3
When we decide to follow the Lord, we are making the decision to love Him and to love others as unto Him. Our True North is the One Triune God. Our True North is the God of Love – whom we call, “Abba! Father!” Our True North is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Our True North is the Holy Spirit, our Counselor and Guide.
When will you decide to follow the ultimate True North, God?
Recommendations
How to Find God – Strength with Dignity
We Can Trust God with All of Our Heart – Strength with Dignity
References
1 True North. Published by Wikipedia. [W] Retrieved July 20, 2023, from True north – Wikipedia
2 Morin, Amy. 9 Little Habits that Make You a Better Decision Maker. Published by Very Well Mind on April 7, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from 9 Habits That Make You a Better Decision Maker (verywellmind.com)
3 Matthew 22:37-40 NASB
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
What is the Greatest Commandment? Published by Got Questions. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from What is the greatest commandment? | GotQuestions.org
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. The one word prompt this week is decide.
18 thoughts on “Important: You Need to Decide Your True North”
For all too long my True North was
to find the man I longed to be,
and that was kinda silly ’cause
the goal, it was inside of me,
and my soul whirled ’round and ’round
just like Concentric Bird’s wild ride,
whose beak eventually is found
disappearing up its own backside.
And I, one day, was at a loss,
still sane enough to understand,
and looking up, beheld a Cross,
and on that Cross beheld a Man,
and then in me the truth was heeded
that the Christ was all I needed.
I think we have all walked this journey, Andrew, until we “beheld a Cross, and on that Cross beheld a Man, and then in me the truth was heeded that the Christ was all I needed.” A beautiful Truth stated beautifully!
Lisa, I love this post! True North – how we navigate life and truly when we decide to trust Him with every decision, we make the best decisions. I was humming that song as soon as I read the word prompt earlier this morning 🙂 Beautiful rendition – thank you for sharing it!
Trusting Him makes all the difference in our decision-making, Joanne! Yes, as soon as I heard the word prompt was decide, I started singing, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’.
Basing our lives on solid principles makes decision making so much easier. Thanks for the reminder, Lisa.
It makes a huge difference, Corinne!
Love your thoughts here, Lisa, I often gaze at the North Star, reminding me that God never changes no matter what my circumstances look like!
God is our ultimate guide, Donna, and we can always trust Him!
Wow, I learned some things by reading your post. Thank you for explaining True North and Magnetic North. Thank you most of all for sharing truth about Jesus.
Visiting from #FMF 10
Jesus is our ultimate True North, Lisa!
Great post! If we keep God as our True North, it definitely helps us in all the other decisions we have to make.
So true, Lesley! He is our True Guide!
Wow, I never knew there was a true north and a magnetic north. Learned something new that I will now need to Google for further info.
It is so fun to learn new things, Sandra!
I love how you fleshed this all out, Lisa. All those other things we clamor for and think we need to make us happy and fulfilled, take their rightful places priority-wise when Jesus Christ is our True North.
When Jesus is first, everything else seems to fall into place for us, Donna.
Amen for ALL the true North’s Lisa. I just love your insights here.
Thanks so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Thanks for hosting and for visiting, Paula!