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.

It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with
care... He does not propose to take His people out of a world of sin
and evil, but He points them to a never-failing refuge. –Steps to Christ
pg. 122
A loud bang resounded through the air, interrupting my
thoughts. My head jerked up in alarm, and I glanced at my mom in
confusion, my racing mind attempting to conjure up a reasonable
explanation.
Minutes earlier, my friends and I were strolling through
downtown Portland alongside skyscrapers stretching luxuriously in
an attempt to reach the lofty white clouds. A few hours later, my mom
and I walked over to our car, sandwiched tightly between two other
vehicles. As we approached, we noticed a group of about nine loafers,
hanging out near our car. Pants sagging halfway to the ground, beer
bottles littering the street, smoke puffing past their cracked lips into
the polluted air—every aspect of the situation gave us the distinct
impression that this was a gang not to be messed with.
Cautiously, my mom and I moved quickly toward the car
and entered as carefully as possible, locking the car as soon as the
doors slammed shut. Suddenly, a look of terror shot through the gang
members as they all ducked and hid beside our car. Looking around
in confusion, we realized the banging noises we had heard only
seconds before were gunshots. Crouching low in the car, my mom and
I held hands and prayed very short, panicked prayers. “I love you,”
my mom kept repeating to me, as I mouthed the same in silent terror.
The gunshots continued to resound in the background, but my mind
was far from the present situation. In an instant, my whole life flashed
before me—everything I had ever done wrong slapped me cold in the
face. I am nothing. My life is a waste. As the gang ran in all directions
and the car in front of us finally pulled out, we drove off cautiously,
every muscle in our bodies still tensing.
Sometimes, we don’t comprehend how fragile our lives truly
are. The world seems to be spinning out of control, but we must put
our trust in God. He will redirect the bullets aimed in our direction.