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.

There must be a power working from within, a new life from above,
before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ.
His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and
attract it to God, to holiness. – Steps to Christ, pg. 18
The warm, humid atmosphere smothers everything. Strongly
scented air tells of luscious plants and rich, moist soil. A long row of
large, disorderly tomato plants spreads out before me like a regiment
of unmanageable army recruits. Their green, spindly arms sprawl
haphazardly over the damp soil. With a pair of shears in one hand and
a container of clips in the other, I quickly survey the scene in front of
me before beginning my assigned task: to prune and clip up all the
tomato plants in the greenhouse.
This is easier said than done. Several of the neglected
vines had branches that had re-rooted themselves, making it almost
impossible to retrain them onto the string to which I was supposed to
attach them. Others had grown so closely together that it was difficult
to determine where one chaotic plant ended, and another began.
The majority of the vines had growths that sucked nutrients and life
from the stalk but produced barely any fruit. These plants had to have
extensive pruning and trimming in order to promote healthy growth
and fruit production.
As I thought of the unruly tomato plants, I realized that I too
am a mess of confused foliage. Although I recognize this, I have no
power to transform myself into a fruitful, purposeful Christian. Just
like them, I need Someone else to fix me, to trim away my flaws and
character defects. That Someone is Jesus. He is the Master Gardener