When a man does not know what harbor he is heading for then no wind is the right one. ~Seneca

At times it can be difficult to know which direction you should proceed.  You don’t want to be like the pilot who said to his passengers, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news.  The good news is we’re making excellent time, the bad news I’m not sure where we’re going.”

The common sense approach may indicate a certain course of action but that is not always the best way to go.  When the metrics are going up and to the right we naturally want to maintain the momentum.  Jesus encountered that situation as He was gaining popularity – how did He respond?  Early in His Galilean ministry we read that Jesus was gaining a strong following,

³² When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. ³³ And the whole city had gathered at the door. ³⁴ And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.  (Mark 1:32-34)

Jesus had cast out a demon in the Synagogue and a large crowd came to Him for deliverance.  What was His response to this situation?

³⁵ In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. (Mark 1:35)

After a busy day of ministry Jesus got up in the early morning to gain His Father’s direction for His ministry.  It seems that it is at those times when we’re most successful in ministry that we need to step back and gain God’s direction.  The disciples however had a different idea what they should do,

³⁶ Simon and his companions searched for Him; ³⁷ they found Him, and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” ³⁸ He *said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” ³⁹ And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons. (Mark 1:36-39)

Jesus was gaining the direction of His ministry from God.  Oswald Chambers reveals the difference between relying upon our common sense and gaining God’s direction,

Never let your common sense become so prominent and forceful that it pushes the Son of God to one side. Common sense is a gift that God gave to our human nature — but common sense is not the gift of His Son. Supernatural sense is the gift of His Son, and we should never put our common sense on the throne. The Son always recognizes and identifies with the Father, but common sense has never yet done so and never will. Our ordinary abilities will never worship God unless they are transformed by the indwelling Son of God.  (My Utmost for His Highest, August 9^th) 

Are you seeking direction for your next step?  Invest some time with God and set your sails to catch the direction of His Spirit.