Adjusting Our Course

John Clardy

Hebrews 3:12-14

(12)  Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

(13)  Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity. If you do this, none of you will be deceived by sin and become stubborn.

(14)  After all, we will remain Christ's partners only if we continue to hold on to our original confidence until the end.

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Chaplain Col. (Ret.) Scott McChrystal, serves as the military and Veterans Affairs representative for the Chaplaincy Department of the Assemblies of God. He shares this personal story: “Years ago when I was on duty traveling through the jungles of Vietnam, it was critical to know our location and direction. As the platoon leader, I would periodically call my squad leaders together for a map and azimuth check. We used the combination of a map and compass to determine our present location and to confirm we were moving toward our destination, simply looking at the surrounding area wouldn¹t work.  But by using a team approach, we consistently got it right.”

Making spiritual course adjustments in our lives takes daily, even hourly attention. We need more than our own ingenuity and skills to keep us on course. We need the constant conviction of God’s Word and God’s Spirit, as well as, the help, support and encouragement of those that love us and who we respect. 

The writer of Hebrews sounded a warning for us to be careful so that we will not develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from God!  He then gives us one of our greatest defenses against that happening – Encourage one another everyday – whenever the opportunity presents itself.  In other words, help each other make adjustments to stay on course. He said if we do this we will not be deceived by sin and become stubborn or reprobate.

Truthfully, we all have situations that create blind spots in our lives.  We need to surround ourselves with people that we have given permission to correct and adjust our course when we are unaware that we are straying.  We need people that will hold us accountable to the Christian course.  Spiritual mentors, pastors, prayer partners, godly friends and family, along with fellowship groups are all needful and helpful in reminding us that we will only reach our destination if we hold fast to our original confidence until the end. 

Anyone who understands spiritual things knows that the day of Christ’s return is rapidly approaching.  Distractions and dangers are all around us. The hostility of the enemy is ever increasing.  Knowing this we should do as Chaplain Col. (Ret.) Scott McChrystal did in enemy territory.  We must regularly meet together to check our location against the map of God’s Word and confirm we are moving in the right direction toward our destination!  We cannot trust the terrain of this world! It is deceptive! Just because it looks like we are going in the right direction is not good enough.  We must be sure we are on the right course.  If not, we must be willing to do whatever is necessary to adjust our course so that we can insure we will reach our heavenly home!  Eternity is forever!  We must make sure we arrive at the right destination!