Orientation

What's your orientation? Orientation has to do with what you are pointed towards. A simple compass points north. It points north when you are moving north, standing still, or moving in a different direction. Christians are pointed toward a person who is Christ. Seems obvious, but we need to be reminded of the simplicity and genius of God's plan. You point to, follow, believe in, put your faith in, give your life to and daily pursue Christ; you are a Christian. Christian means Christ-follower. To follow means to be oriented towards. Simple yet deep. It's personal, relational. Great God of man. He calls us and adopts us to be his children in and through Christ. We were lost and God showed us or revealed to us his love in Christ. Christ died for sinners and we received salvation or rescue by Christ. We became one of Christ's disciples which means followers in that he is teaching us God's ways for people to live. Christians have Christ orientation.

We get disoriented in life. Sometimes we get disappointed and we have to re-orientate. Sometimes Jesus or God seems distant. We have God's word to re-oriented us and we have the fellowship of fellow sojourners to encourage us. Sometimes we get disillusioned, confused, angry, depressed, afraid, or feel thrown overboard and upside down under water. We need to re-orientate. Go back to the simplicity of walking with Jesus my savior. I don't know about this or that, but I know he loves me. Orientation. It is affirmative, but not just an affirmation, but truth; the truth that I'm growing in throughout my lifetime.

Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones (that's me) to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

But wait, there's more. Jesus also says that he won't leave us feeling like orphans, or feeling at a loss of him (John 14:18). So he asked the Father who sends you the Holy Spirit to comfort you, help you, guide you, empower you (John 14:16-19). Who is the Holy Spirit's favorite person, favorite subject? Jesus.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!