She was so fetching in her British police uniform.  Young, pretty, and with a smile that would melt glaciers,  she was good naturedly hearing out an older man’s tirade made more vehement by too much alcohol.  When she saw us waiting to ask her a question, she politely ended the one sided conversation by the drunk and gave us her pleasant attention.  Where, we asked, was the King’s Cross train station?  As God would have it, she was standing at the intersection we needed to turn at in order to reach our destination.  She turned and pointed to it and wished us a good day.  What we didn’t know was that the timing was critical. 

We continued our determined pace and entered the train station.  Immediately we saw the ticket counter and since no one was ahead of us, proceeded to the ticket agent who pretended not to see us standing in front of her counter.  Finally, she begrudgingly gave us a bit of her attention, altho she never looked at us.  We explained we needed to go to the north of England.  We had Eurail passes, but did we need to purchase tickets?  Lazily she glanced at our passes and told us we only needed those.  In a bored tone she managed to tell us that our train left at 7:30pm on platform 2.  When we turned to leave the counter, we were facing a large clock which read 7:26.  Panicked, we speed walked toward the signs pointing to the platforms.  Poor Husband who was carrying the lion’s share of the luggage gasped, “I can’t run with this.”  I was ahead with the lighter load desperately scouting for signs to platform 2.  When we arrived breathless at our platform, there were no people boarding, but there was a helpful train conductor.  “Is this the train to Darlington?”, I managed between pants.  He nodded and smiled.  Husband asked, “Which car should we enter?”  “Any of them,” he said.  Not willing to take any chance of missing the last train to our day’s final destination, I jumped on the first car even tho it read “First Class”.  Poor husband brought up the rear wondering why I wouldn’t sit down in one of those many empty seats.  After passing through an entire car, he finally blurted out, “Why can’t we sit down?”  Burdened by the heavy load, he hadn’t noticed that the cars were First Class only.  As we passed thru the second car, I managed a breathless, “Because these cars are First Class and we aren’t.”  The privileged few were giving us raised eyebrows as we huffed and puffed past their special seats.  We finally arrived at a second class car and we dove into the first pair of empty seats just as the train started forward.

Three people gave us directions. We had asked those who were authorities.  All three were in a position to know the correct answers to our questions.  As a result, we made our train which was the last one that night to our destination.  After 13.5 hours of travel with 3 more hours remaining, any false information or lacking any piece of information would have caused us to miss that critical connection to our hotel reservation and a much needed rest. 

I’m afraid we too often ask the wrong people for answers to our important questions.  We let society via the media give us answers.  We let those above us on the ladder of success influence us.  We allow friends or family whose opinions are based on feelings or their experiences to give us direction.  One of the problems with these sources is that their advice shifts over time, or conflict with one another.  When they deny absolute truth, opinions change.  What was taboo a decade ago is now embraced and celebrated.  There are voices that encourage anything that feels good so one focused direction is difficult to sort out.  We are told to take care of ourselves, promote ourselves, know ourselves.  But no one seems equipped to tell us what to do about the emptiness self-centered thinking brings.

Our one source that hasn’t changed thru the centuries is the Bible.  When we go to the Scriptures for answers, we’re tapping into the wisdom of an unchanging God.  He gives us parameters for our behavior that are like guard rails along steep roads that prevent us from sliding off a cliff.  He gives us purpose, direction, and something beyond ourselves to live for.

  “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

We can go to those in authority in the church who are living pure lives in obedience to Biblical principles.  They can give us godly advice.  This advice can be in the form of public teaching or personal counsel.  I have experienced this at several major intersections of my life.  When I was a senior in high school, the relatives I was living with asked their pastor to come to their house and give me advice about choosing a college.  I was embarrassed that an important man would be asked to take time for me, but he put me at ease immediately.  After hearing what my goals were, he suggested a particular college.  I took his advice and the course of my life was forever changed for the good.  Even tho I’m now older, every week I listen carefully to my pastor’s teaching which deeply influences my thinking and values.

“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.  You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”  2 Timothy 3:14-15

Besides reading Scripture, and listening to those who are spiritually mature, we  ask our loving Father to show us the way.  His own Spirit is within us to whisper direction when we ask.  This is beyond human understanding and is unexplainable on an earthly level.  It takes place in the spiritual realm, but plays out on the practical level.  When we humbly ask God for direction with a heart to obey whatever he shows us, he will not fail us.  

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.  But when the Father sends the Advocate (Counsellor, Comforter, Encourager) as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.”  John 14:23,26-27

So next time you have a question, don’t look for an answer from the media, those who are ‘successes’, or random people in your life.  Turn to the changeless Scriptures, those who are spiritually mature, and the Holy Spirit who is willing to give you answers.