MAPS are really useful on a bike ride, if only to work out where you are and how to get home. 

Until, that is, you cycle “‘off the map”.’

One wrong turning in an area of quiet country lanes can lead miles away from the intended route and it is almost impossible to guess which turning to take.

I write from experience! The day I found myself on the banks of the Severn instead of high up in the Forest of Dean was particularly frustrating.

The idea of maps shapes more than our physical journeys: “‘Lost their way”’ sounds more positive than “‘dropped-out”’; if you start a new relationship or job you’re “‘taking a new direction”’ and when we do something for the first time, we’re always “‘setting off”’.

And in a way, we each have a “‘map”’ that guides us: the values we were brought up with; the experiences of life – good and bad – which have shaped us; our relationships and the insights of others; the expectations of our community.

We follow habits started by long forgotten incidents and conversations.

For the most part, our “‘maps”’ serve us well.

But what happens when we go “‘off the map”’?

When we experience unexpected circumstances and find ourselves unprepared?

When our past habits and knowledge seem to equip us badly for making wise choices?

On a bike you can stop and ask directions but in life in general?

Who can you ask?

We live in strange and dangerous times: I was struck by a recent writer who recently suggested that for some people truth itself has no value and presentation is everything, in “post-truth politics”.

Truly living without a map!

No wonder we feel lost when some of our leaders have no map!

But God has always looked out for the lost - and the Bible reminds us, “‘...if you leave God’s paths and go astray, you will hear a voice behind you say, ‘No, this is the way: walk here’.”’

If your map has run out, listen for the voice of God.

He is on your side. 

REV JOHN THOMPSON 
Stonehouse Parish Church