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.

Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced
mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His
thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his
powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. – Steps
to Christ, pg. 17
“Geld für die Armen, bitte helfen Sie mir: Money for the poor,
please help me,” were the words on her broken cardboard sign. Her
filthy hands poked out from her sides, and a soiled, ragged headscarf
framed her round face as her long black hair billowed in the December
breeze. Her dress pooled around her body, its once colourful pattern
faded and worn.
Her black eyes scanned each person, imploring them to
drop any loose change that they might have within their pockets. As
I approached her, she looked up expectantly, waiting for a shower of
coins. I reached into my pocket and dropped the first thing my fingers
touched—a cent. She gratefully nodded, not suspecting that I would
soon uncover her devious act.
An hour later, I strolled through the glass doors and back into
the frigid embrace of the winter wind. Leaving the mall behind me, I
soon became absorbed in my own thoughts. Watching my feet pound
upon the cobblestones, I was rudely interrupted from my reverie as a
tall woman collided with me. Hastily apologizing, I stooped to help her
with the designer bag she had dropped, her manicured nails frantically
grabbing at the spilled clothes. It was then that my orbital cavities
spotted the familiar print on a piece of fabric. Looking her full in the
face, I suddenly recognized her as the begging gypsy.
Why did she do that? The thought nagged me. What had
motivated her to lower herself to someone who is typically despised?
She had thrown her status away, and all for 25 euros (if she was
lucky). Instead of cheating people out of their money, she could have
been helping them. Then, a thought struck me: How often am I like
her? Do I help others, or think just about me, myself, and I?