Consider the compass; an ancient, deceptively simple tool. For decades it marked the pinnacle of human innovation, coveted by both voyager and explorer. Rendered from the world’s finest brass and jewels, these were priceless works of art. Ironically, today you can buy a plastic one for a few bucks.

An interesting thing about the compass; every one ever made can do but one thing – point north. That is all it does, yet consider all we have accomplished using it. It was indispensable to the growth and success of the United States; from crossing the oceans to exploring the west, digging canals to building railroads, fighting wars to mining coal, selling land to building ports. But for the compass, the US would not exist.

To be sure, you must know two additional bits of information to use a compass correctly – where you are, and where you want to go. Plot those on a map, and voila, you have your course, be it a simple ‘go north east,’ to a detailed bearing ‘go North 15 degrees, 5 minutes, 15 seconds East’. With the course in hand, you can hike on, confident in the knowledge that your compass will always show you north.

Sometimes, the two bits of ‘where you are,’or ‘where you want to go,’ become vague and uncertain. When that happens, we can rely on the compass to point north, and use it find our way out. The compass has become an icon of reliably. In fact, when we discuss a person’s morals, we often refer to their moral compass. By this, we imply that their moral guidance is as consistent as a compass, or conversely, that they lack a moral compass.

In life, as in hiking, we may stray from our course. The ‘where we are’ or ‘where we want to go’ may become vague or uncertain. When that happens, an accurate moral compass will show us the way back. The development of that inner compass is as important as the brass compass in our pocket. Traveling life’s byways, we must take the time to listen to that still small voice. The voice that reminds us to do that which is right. It is the solemn duty of parents, grandparents, teachers, and society to help our children develop that inner compass. Failing in that task is akin to sending your child to cross the mountains without a map or compass.

With success in this challenging task, we can rest assured, that so equipped, they can boldly go forth to wander life’s trails and wonders.

David Dahl

As I write, granddaughter Olivia celebrates her twelfth birthday, so I sent her a compass – half in jest, as she recently got lost on a hike, but also as a reminder that she has an inner compass – values she has learned from family, church, and school. A reminder that no matter how far she travels, these values will always point her in the right direction.

Read about Olivia’s Story: Protector of the Realm

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