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.

As when they engage in prayer; when they lie down at night, and when
they rise in the morning… each is tenderly watched by the heavenly
Father. – Steps to Christ, pg. 86
“HELLO!” “Hello!” “Hello!”
My voice echoed across the vast valley that lay silently and
peacefully below me. It was the start of autumn, and the leaves had
begun to gracefully fall with every blast of icy Colorado air. The crisp
blue afternoon sky told of winter’s approaching.
Realizing I only had a few hours till it was dark, I scrambled
down the steep cliff face to the large cave at the bottom that was to
be my home for the next thirty hours of solitude, hunger, freezing
temperatures, and minimal sleep. After collecting a pile of leaves as
tall as myself and stuffing them into a corner of my cave, I decided to
try to get some sleep.
The next morning, I determined to carve some basic survival
tools. As I sat there whittling at a bow drill I was making, I realized
this was the perfect time to try and call a friend I hadn’t called in a
long time. Casually, I started to talk to God and tell Him all my wants,
wishes, and worries. Never in my life had I ever felt so close to Him.
Not even my growling stomach could distract me from my Friend.
Through the rest of that day, I continued talking to God. It was
incredible how loud His voice was to me when I was not distracted
with the things of the world. When it was just Him and me, I felt at
home and at peace knowing that He was watching over me.
Upon being picked up from my survival experience, I went
back to camp with a new relationship with God. I had gained an
understanding as to how loud He can whisper when I listen and make
time for Him. Since then, I have made it a practice to spend more
alone time in nature just talking to God, and it has become the center
of my relationship with Him. Even when I don’t think He is there, I just
need to stop, pray, listen, and wait for His still small voice.