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.

Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will. –
Steps to Christ, pg. 34
The light flashed through the trees as I sped along a gravel
road on my dirt bike with my brother Mitchell on my tail. Breaking
out of the trees, we both slammed on our brakes and came to a
screeching stop, perfectly aligned.
“Let’s go on three,” I yelled over the roar of the engines.
Revving the engine once, then twice, I pinned the throttle on the third
rev, sending rocks flying in every direction behind me. Side by side,
our speed increased as we flew down the road. Shifting into fourth
gear, I grinned when I started to pull ahead, but I quickly realized that
I had shifted a second too soon. I watched my brother pull into the
lead. Reaching fifth gear, it was clear that I had been outdone. When
he started to slow down, I held the throttle pinned just a little bit longer
so that I could have the satisfaction of saying I won. Passing him, I
smiled, but only for a moment.
I had forgotten that the road met up with a paved road that
had a ditch on the other side. Squeezing my brakes hard, my bike
grasped every inch of ground it could. Reaching the road, I realized I
was still going too fast, and in desperation I laid the bike over, sending
me sliding across the pavement. Pulling myself up, I was relieved to
find that I had only suffered a scraped leg and a few bruises.
“Are you okay?” my brother asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I muttered as I slowly picked up my bike.
I am in a race—a much more serious race than my race with
Mitchell. In this race, I’m holding onto something, and it’s not the
throttle. You see, this world has many allurements and attractions
that keep me holding on, and I can’t let go. I think that holding on just
a little longer will bring me satisfaction, but in reality, there’s a ditch
at the end waiting to sabotage my very existence. I have to make
the choice to lay it down, but I also realize that in my own power it is
impossible to do this. Fortunately, I have a God who is waiting for me
to ask Him to help, and when I do, He gives me strength to let go.