Charted

What is Charted?

Like a master surveyor, Jesus gives us clear directions to find a fulfilling, purpose-filled relationship with Himself - a map to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Charted is a daily devotional written by the junior class at Fountainview Academy (Class of 2019). Based on the book Steps to Christ, this book explores the path to the Originator and Provider of Genuine Joy. We don't have to be confused about the way. The certainty is in the journey: divinely Charted.

A man who would refuse to exercise his limbs would soon lose
all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his
God-given powers not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses
the strength that he already had. – Steps to Christ, pg. 81
298, 299, 300! I will beat Julie, I silently vowed.
“How many are you going to do?” Jewel asked.
I relaxed for a second, sweat running down my face. “Oh, I
don’t know, but I WILL beat Julie and ultimately show her that I am
buffer.” In my peripheral vision, I saw Julie gasp before resuming doing
sit-ups. I cannot let her win! However, I began to realize that I was
racing the clock as well as Julie.
Just then, Brianna strolled out of the office. “Girls, it’s 9:15.
Time to go back to your rooms.” In one last, desperate attempt, I
pushed my body, reaching 333 sit-ups. Standing up, I told Julie, “See, I
won. I’m buffer.”
She doubled up with laughter. “How many did you do?”
“Three hundred and thirty-three,” I trumpeted. That night, as
I lay in bed, I felt invigorated and strangely satisfied, not because I
had beaten Julie, but because I had finally worked out. Although I
hadn't used my abs for far too long, they were still there waiting to be
exercised and strengthened.
Similarly, my spiritual life is often pushed to the back shelf.
One day I asked myself a question: If I attend a Christian academy,
why isn’t my faith getting stronger? But then, I realized something.
Abs don’t appear overnight, so why should my spiritual life blossom
instantly either? Just as I want to put time and effort into building my
abs, I should be working with the same energy to build my walk with
God.