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.

We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our
Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even
so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love
and pitying tenderness. — Steps to Christ, pg. 96
The sunlit room was still and silent, save for the usual distant
sound of squealing brakes and horns. The stained curtains flapped in
the light breeze as I lay in my bed, shivering with fever.
Scenes from the last few days played over and over in my
mind. What am I doing here? I wondered silently. I’ve done no good
to anyone! I was so frustrated and angry with myself. I had come to
Mongolia hoping to help the people, but while everyone came back
from outreach with amazing stories of God’s working, I came back
silent and disappointed. A despairing thought pressed itself upon my
worn and aching mind: Am I useless to God?
Since sleep had escaped me the night before, I did the only
thing I could: I prayed. I kept pleading with God for answers, but only
the deafening roar of the overwhelming silence acknowledged my
desperate questions. My throat stung, my head throbbed, and my
stomach felt like it was being tied in knots. I had begged God for relief,
but this mercy was denied. Seriously wondering if God was even
listening to me, I finally fell into an exhausted slumber in the early
hours of the morning.
Now, I dismally reached for my phone. In desperation, I
Googled: “When God is silent”. Please, God, I pleaded. Let me know
You’re still here. I clicked the first link that looked somewhat reliable,
and started reading. From the first sentence, it was as if God was
speaking directly to me. A Bible verse flashed through my mind: “Be
still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NKJV).
That day, I learned that silence is not absence. It seemed God
was saying to me: “Be still. Let your mind rest and let Me give you
peace. You don’t need to hear Me to trust that I’m still here.