Devotions
What Do You Do When You Realize that You Are Lost?
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” – Hebrews 3:15
A Missed Exit
One day, while we
were living in Pretoria, a friend came to visit us from another province.
Somehow, he missed his exit on the highway. He continued driving for nearly two
more hours before he began to feel uneasy. He thought he should have reached
our home by then, but instead he kept seeing unfamiliar road signs and place
names.
Eventually, he
realized he was lost. At the next exit, he turned around and drove back, paying
close attention so he would not miss the correct exit again. What surprised us,
though, was his admission that he had sensed earlier that something was wrong. He
had heard that small inner warning but ignored it, telling himself, “I know
this place. I cannot be lost.”
Many of us can relate
to being lost on a highway or in unfamiliar streets. The sensible response is
simple: once you realize you are going the wrong way, you turn back. To keep
going stubbornly after you know you are lost is not confidence; it is rebellion
against reason and common sense.
Life Is a Journey
Life is a journey,
and in every area of life we are moving from one place toward a desired
destination. Municipalities provide maps, road signs, and street names to help travelers
find their way. In the same way, teachers guide us professionally through
knowledge and instruction. Parents, families, mentors, and communities also
help shape us for success through education, discipline, and wisdom.
Most importantly, God
has revealed the way to eternal life and true success through the Bible. From
time to time, we may lose our way. Sometimes we are unclear about where we are
going; sometimes we fail to pay attention; and sometimes we ignore the signs
placed before us.
There is no shame in
realizing that you are lost or mistaken. The danger comes when you know you are
on the wrong road and still refuse to turn back. A sincere heart will recognize
when a path is leading nowhere. The Spirit of God speaks through the quiet
voice of conscience, and that voice calls both believers and unbelievers to
turn away from evil and return to what is right.
Do Not Harden Your
Heart
Do not harden your
heart against the voice of reason. Whether the issue concerns your walk with
God, your relationships, your career, your business, or any other area of life,
turn back as soon as you realize you are in the wrong. If you refuse, that road
may take you to an unwanted destination and a painful ending.
If we are faithful
and obedient, God will not leave us to guess which way to follow. He has
provided direction in His Word, which is our perfect map. The Bible says, “Your
word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
When you are
confused, search the Scriptures. Ask those who have gone ahead of you and
succeeded. Seek wisdom from people who understand the road you are trying to
travel. As Proverbs 12:15 reminds us, “a fool is right in his own eyes.”
Ask Before You Move
Once, while
travelling with my husband in an unfamiliar city, we waited for a bus that was
delayed. Then it began to rain. When another bus arrived, I told my husband,
“Let us board this one; they all go to the same place.” I stepped onto the bus,
but my husband wisely asked the driver whether he was going toward our hotel.
The driver told us he did not know the hotel and was not heading in that
direction. I quickly got off the bus, embarrassed.
That moment taught me
an important lesson: you cannot act carelessly and expect a good result. If you
do things anyhow, you will receive the results of acting anyhow. In your life
journey, pay attention to the signs God places before you and listen to the
quiet voice of conscience.
Seek wisdom from
Scripture and godly counsel, turn back quickly when you realize you are going
the wrong way and ask the Holy Spirit for direction at every turn. When you
refuse to harden your heart and choose to follow God’s direction, you can walk
with confidence, knowing that He will guide you toward your divine destination.
Posted : Aug 24, 2026