There are two kinds of compasses that can be used for navigation. One relies on the fact that the earth is a large magnet, with two poles just like any smaller iron magnet. The magnetic properties are attached to the very ground and core of the planet. Ships have used simple magnets to align themselves with the earth's magnet for centuries. This is generally an adequate kind of compass, however, magnetic north is not the same as true north and, unless one corrects for the difference, the magnetic compass will cause the captain to miss his port. About 100 years ago a new kind of compass began to be used called a gyrocompass. Its technology was not based on something buried on the earth. It relies on a gyroscope that spins at high speed with an axis that is aligned, not to the earth, but to a point in space...far away. This freedom from earth's attraction allows the gyrocompass to maintain its fix on a constant, or true North.
We have a magnet buried within our being as creatures of the earth and it seems to point to the correct directions. But when we follow the buried magnet we ultimately miss our destination, even if by a little. We need the compass that has an orientation beyond the earth, so that with independent direction from above, we might be lost...here or forever. (a new kind of GPS might be God's Positioning System...but that's another topic...)
Psalm 119:59
I pondered the direction of my life,and I turned to follow your laws.
blessings,
Rob Smith
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