THE CLOCK, THE CALENDAR & THE COMPASS (by Commander Barney Barnes)
"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake." Psalm 23:3
As you read this, you probably are aware of the correct time within a few minutes, and of course today’s date is right there at your fingertips. You must know these time/date parameters because, after all, you have schedules, meetings and commitments that have time and date requirements. Accordingly, you often check the time of day so you can meet your scheduled/changing commitments. Most likely you also check your calendar from time to time during the day to effectively “schedule” emerging meetings and events.
This basically describes the way we men manage our daily lives. The danger here is that “the routine”, that comfortable status quo, can become “a rut”…that we have dug. Remember, momentum is only significant if the direction is correct. The clock and the calendar are valuable tools in life, but they have little-to-no directional guidance. Without this guidance, attaining core objectives, and more importantly our purpose, is put at risk. What if there was a way to avoid “the rut” and stay focused on your goals while fulfilling your purpose in 2026? Interested?
The concept of a “compass check” is likely to be unfamiliar to most men. As a student naval aviator, I was cautioned that being just one degree off my required heading would put me 1 mile off course after only 60 miles of travel. This is known as “The 1 in 60 Rule”. The critical reality here was that the farther I flew, just one degree off course, the greater I would miss my destination, 120 miles=2 miles. Moreover, flying 10 degrees off my required course could have jeopardized lives. Prominently located on the instrument panel was a CDI or course deviation indicator. The round display had a vertical bar which would show right or left of the course I selected. If we bother to “check” our course, our internal CDI Holy Spirit will surely prompt us of needed course correction. Psalm 23:3b.
As we carry the principle of the 1 in 60 Rule into our life journey we can redeem or prevent many adverse scenarios. One of my all-time favorite books is The Moral Compass by Dr. William J. Bennett, first published in 1995. This 825-page classic is filled with hundreds of poems and stories extolling the virtues of righteous conduct. Many of the stories are taken from the Bible and clearly demonstrate that we do have an internal “moral compass”. God’s gift for directional guidance, our conscience, is a moral compass to guide the life journey of each individual.
Here is an excerpt from Dr. Bennet’s introduction: “If an individual is to do good, the tenets of the heart must be informed and directed by a well-ordered mind.” Prudence, meaning the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, must be regarded as a fundamental virtue. By prudence one is able to recognize the right choice in specific circumstances.” Prudence also means, skill and good judgement in the management of resources; caution and circumspection as to danger or risk; and sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs. An understanding of the meaning of prudence is critical. Although it often appears in Proverbs, it is seldom used in modern parlance.
Navigating across the open sea, the mariner faces the forces known as “set” and “drift”. Set is the bearing or direction the ocean current is flowing, and drift is the speed or magnitude of the current. Surface wind is a factor with drift also. The most powerful of these currents, the Gulf Stream, flows northeastward at 5.8 mph just a few miles off the Eastern Seaboard. During the colonial period, sea captains discovered this current and sailed north of it coming to the colonies and sailed with the current returning to England, saving days both ways.
We must be aware of the cultural forces of “set” and “drift” as we navigate our voyage of life in 2026. We must check our compass heading periodically so we can make timely course corrections as needed. Proverbs 4:26 comes to mind, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Thankfully God has given the Holy Spirit as a master compass, to guide and lead us. So, we can navigate often uncharted waters, stormy seas, and be empowered to stay on course for the very purpose He has redeemed our lives, Ephesians 2:10 refers.
Once again, momentum is only significant if the direction is correct. Paul gives us some great guidance on direction in one of my favorite passages: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1c-2a.
Bon Voyage in 2026
Written by Commander John "Barney" Barnes
Used with permission from Bravo Bravo Wisdom