At the Crossroads

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 

– Jeremiah 17:7

Are you one of those people who hates to ask for directions? 

Douglas Corrigan was a prime example. And his legendary stubbornness would briefly make him the world's most famous man.

Born in Galveston, TX, Corrigan was a skilled mechanic and pilot who helped build the Spirit of St. Louis — Charles Lindbergh's famous airplane that crossed the Atlantic in 1927. Corrigan dreamed of one day repeating the hero aviator's remarkable feat. But time after time, the federal government refused to certify his modified aircraft for transatlantic flight.

Corrigan got his chance 11 years later. Frustrated by the endless delays and red tape, he apparently gave up his quest and submitted his official plans for a flight home to California. His plane took off at night from the New York runway shrouded in thick fog … and (allegedly) guided by a malfunctioning compass. It was nearly 30 hours later that Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan landed in Dublin, Ireland. The determined Texan became an instant celebrity for flying halfway around the globe from his intended destination. And soon he received a New York City tickertape parade that was bigger than Lindbergh's!

Every Christ-follower is a bit like Wrong Way Corrigan when it comes to navigating their faith-journey. Their compass tends to malfunction, and they can easily lose sight of their goals and destination. They’re also confused about which college to attend, which significant other to marry, and which job to take. 

Discerning God's will is the answer. But how do we do that?

Let's first look at what NOT to do. Society tells us to follow our heart and be true to ourself. But that's in direct opposition to Scripture because we're first to be true to God. "Who can understand the human heart," we read in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. "There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed."

Let's now consider Jesus' example as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and execution. Christ had a big decision to make. And he asked God if there might be some other way to achieve the eternal plan for mankind’s salvation that was set in motion at the foundation of the world:

"Father, if it is possible, don't let this happen to me!" Jesus petitioned. "Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want."

The lesson here is that surrendering completely to God's will is our first step to knowing it. When we do, the Creator’s answer can be startling — but it will never contradict his word in the Bible. Moreover, don't be surprised if he answers through a situation or opportunity that you’d never considered before. After all, our ways — God says — are not his ways. And his thoughts are not our own.