I was born in Fukuoka, Japan, in a hospital on an American Air Force base. Although I have visited Japan twice, I have yet to revisit my birthplace. While I am definitely looking forward to this, it may be a bit difficult. The Air Force base and hospital no longer exist, replaced by a housing development. Thus, while I may not be able to visit the general location, I may be unable to return to the exact spot where I was born.
In today’s world, returning to one’s exact birthplace may not be a simple task. Gentrification may sometimes radically change a city’s landscape. I have a colleague who grew up near Beijing, China. However, each time he revisits his birthplace, it is unfamiliar to him. Buildings that were in place even ten years ago are no longer present, victims of the relentless new building in China. Yet, some animals have been doing this for millennia. Scientists speculate that animals such as sea turtles, birds, dolphins, salmon and some insects may have physiological adaptations that enable each to navigate the earth’s magnetic field. For example, sea turtles may have magnetite within their brain, a compound that aligns with the earth’s magnetic field. I wonder if people who have a good sense of direction have a similar physiological change? One thing is sure, most husbands who drive cars do not, as many wives can attest!
I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.
Jeremiah 10:23-24 (NLT)
God endowed sea turtles and other select animals with a means to navigate thousands of miles to return to their exact place of birth. Most of us are not as fortunate. We need direction and guidance. Thanks be to God that He provides this for us. While it may not be to navigate to our exact point of birth, He guides us to far more important destinations, our course for our life. He doesn’t use magnetic fields, He guides us by His Holy Spirit, who indwells within every believer in Jesus Christ. He aligns us with the will of God, the most powerful force in the universe.
Returning to our place of birth may be important for some animal species but for a believer in Jesus Christ, yielding to the will of God is what will bring us home to Him in heaven.
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 