Being in the Right Place

Acts 17:26-27 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

"Is everybody in the right place?" The question was asked by the Chair of the working group I was attending for the first time. Twenty or so people had gathered from the fields of education and developmental services and many of us were meeting the others around the table for the first time.

The Chair explained her question by telling us that her father once went to Miami when he meant to go to New York. The only clue was that he'd thought the plane trip was taking a rather long time!

I understood! I'd once been at another new meeting only to realize as introductions were being made that I was in the wrong meeting with the wrong group of people. It's quite possible to be in the wrong place and be totally unaware of it.

Asking ourselves the question, "Are we in the right place?" is a good thing to do. It's one thing to be at the wrong meeting or on the wrong plane journey but if our lives are a journey, it's pretty important to know if we're in the right place so that if we aren't we can make a change.

One of the significant things to consider is our ultimate destination. That's something that many people don't even think about, or if they do, they may assume that they're headed towards a specific destination but they haven't really bothered to get a passport or found out if they have all of the correct documents, tickets and visas.

Most important of all is our spiritual journey. Isn't it worth asking, "Am I in the right place? Am I headed in the right direction?" As with the man on the plane, it may not be immediately obvious if we aren't, but oh my goodness, we ought to want to know it.

Fortunately it isn't hard to find the answer. God waits for us to ask. Often he's been trying to get our attention as determinedly as a marshaller, the baton signaller for taxiing planes .

Prayer: Father I thank you that according to your word you are never far from any one of us. You are always accessible and you have the words of life. You have a plan and purpose for us in this life (which is only the beginning), and for eternity. Thank you that you long to give us clarity and purpose.

John 10:7-9 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 14:6 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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