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.

The thorn and the thistle—the difficulties and trials that make his
life one of toil and care—were appointed for his good as a part of
the training needful in God’s plan for his uplifting from the ruin and
degradation that sin has wrought. – Steps to Christ, pg. 9
“Girls, come outside to the garden with me and help me
weed.” My mom might as well have pronounced a year of exile upon
my sister and me.
I hated weeding.
Weeding—other than doing dishes—was the chore that I
loathed the most. I despised working outside in the dreaded heat with
sweat beading on my forehead and running down my back. I panicked
every time a bee buzzed by my head, and the spiders and beetles that
crawled out of the dirt were positively revolting.
In those dreaded moments of torture, my mom would give us
“pep talks,” attempting in vain to help us appreciate the activity. “Think
of weeds as sin implanted in our hearts,” she would say. “We must
constantly be plucking out the weeds that are bound to spring up.”
Rolling my eyes, I would ignore her “words of wisdom” and
continue to wallow in my misery. Never did the thought cross my mind
that gardening would do me good.
After many years of experience, while I still do not prefer
weeding, I’ve gained a new appreciation for it. I enjoy spending time
outside in the fresh air and admiring the clean, spotless soil after it’s
weeded.
Each day I am facing difficulties and trials. Weeding may not
always be one of them, but the stress, anxiety, and daily problems I
face are appointed for my good. It isn’t until later that I realized these
hardships strengthened me for the years to come. With this in mind,
I can be joyful in tribulation, “knowing that the testing of [my] faith
produces patience” (James 1:2 NKJV).