… we all as adults have a compass with which we navigate the world we find ourselves in. We are not necessarily aware of it, but that is what ultimately determines our destinations above every other thing. The compass influence our decisions and our decisions (large and small) make us. Who we are today is a result of decisions we made yesterday and who we become tomorrow and where we land will be as a result of decisions we make today.
Fear and faith are the two main compasses that influence our decision making. By default, fear can become our compass if we are not vigilant. Fear is an inbuilt emotion and everyone experiences fear to one degree or another. But must fear rule us? Must fear determine the course of our lives? Must we use fear as the determining factor of what we should do and not do? Must we sniff out fear in the same manner as a black bear sniff out food? Must we go in a straight line, like hypnotized bees in the direction of fear? Must we hibernate and camp with fear?
Fear is compelling, intense and convincing. Fear is a bully, a ruthless master that accepts nothing else but obedience. “Do nothing” fear tells us, “freeze!” it whispers. And when we obey, we are rewarded, but rewarded with what? Regressive peace! Inappropriate calmness! We get the serenity of a man going nowhere. There is a quietness and stillness that belongs to those who are asleep and have gone yonder but not to those who are alive. Fear draws us in and demands a stillness that should not be part of our repertoire.
We must be aware of our fears, but not play to them, we don’t need to dance to the music. We can still the voice of fear and increase the volume of faith. Fear must not be the compass with which we navigate life. In order words, feeling fearful should not be an indicator to abandon or not pursue a course of action. We ought to have a foundation that is much deeper than fear. Faith, courage, belief, etc should be the bedrock of our endeavour, not fear, never should be fear. Fear is an ever-present, ready, willing yet uninvited guest and we do well to always remember this. Fear is never on the guest list but will turn up regardless and take the place of honour, it becomes our duty to displace fear. A healthy awareness of potential dangers and an understanding of the risks of any endeavour is necessary and we should do all we can to manage risk and mitigate undesirable outcomes. But a crippling attitude to life is non-fulfilling and this is what happens when fear is our compass.
Faith is the compass that will lead us to our true destination, to the promised land, to fulfilment, therefore to live the abundant life we have to walk in Faith! Walking in faith requires determination, and purposefulness coupled with effort and this is the right compass to stir us in the direction of destiny.
Beautiful Ivory 