Sometimes, You Need to Correct Course
By Justin March

“A sextant is a nautical instrument that measures the heavens and the horizons to help
establish a course. Looking to the heavens provides the guidance. Looking to
the horizon ahead provides the direction. The sextant provides a beautiful
image for our daily life as a disciple and follower of Jesus. Each day we ought
to press the pause button and look to the One who fashioned the heavens in
order to get our bearings. Each day, we look to the leading of the Lord in
order to set our course. Discipleship isn’t a one-time action. It is an
intentional, hourly, and daily return to examine our course, our progress, and
our errors. Being a disciple is about making course corrections daily.”
An excerpt from “Following the Master” – Dr. Scott Ness

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. It is a day where preparation, hard work, perseverance, and adaptation
have rewarded two teams to play for the game’s ultimate prize. Owners, general
managers, coaches, trainers, and players have come together, and in a season where
losses were overcome, game plans abandoned, and strategies changed, it is today
where we will see which team comes out on top.

Each team has been preparing for this moment. Each team has studied the other to expose their
weaknesses and recognize their strengths. Each team believes they know what it
takes to defeat the other. But when that whistle blows, the team that is
victorious, will be the team that can adapt to sudden changes. It will be the
team that can re-examine the game when the plan goes awry, the team that can
hit the pause button when the strategy fails, and the team that can overcome
their errors and correct the course.

Being a disciple can be a lot like Super Bowl Sunday. God has equipped us with a plan to succeed, He
has empowered us to execute that plan, and he has given us the tools we need to
claim that precious prize. But there are other forces that do not agree with
this plan, and they will do everything in their power to knock us off course.
No matter how much we prepare or try to stay on track, there will be obstacles
that get in our way. And if we are not ready to hit the pause button, look for
guidance, and make corrections, we may find ourselves unable to overcome those
opposing forces.

God has a plan for us, but he never promised it would be easy. He knows there will be adversity, He
knows there will be hurdles, and He knows there will be consequences. He
understands there will be times we fail. He understands there will be times we
suffer pain and loss. And He understands there will be times when the course we
set is no longer correct and we need to adapt and adjust. But just like the
sextant helps those mariners navigate the sea, we too can look to the heavens
for guidance and to the horizon ahead to navigate our adventures in life.

If your course in life seems difficult and you are struggling to overcome the obstacles being thrown
your way, maybe it is time to hit the pause button and make some corrections.
Maybe it is time to sit back and understand where you have made progress and
where you have made errors. Maybe it is time to look to the heavens and ask God
for guidance. And maybe it is time to adapt, adjust, and keep your eyes open to
the changes God needs you to make in your life. God is our sextant, and God is
our Super Bowl victory. And if we are intentional, not afraid to fail, and open
to making corrections, we will be on a course that leads us to that ultimate
prize!