The heart....the compass of the man

To live with faith. We live our lives believing in certain causes which makes our lives worthwhile. Such causes point us in a general direction in which to lead our lives to. In other words, acting as a compass.

But there are differing faiths and beliefs lurking within our hearts. Every man is capable of choosing the direction upon which to lead his soul. The choice is his to make. God has made it so. He has given the freedom to decide and at the same time shone light upon the path best to be taken. It's up to us to choose.

Yet there are those among us who chose a different path. There are people who choose the road less travelled. A faith that is different. Do we have the right to deem these people lost? Are we correct in saying so?

In order for one to be lost, he needs to be unaware of where he is headed or where he stands. To be lost is to be confused and not know your way around. So would it be right for us to deem those who do not follow our faith lost?

Perhaps not.

Take the example of a man in the heart of the woods. Give him a compass and tell him that his destination is a village up north by the river. He knows the general direction in which he needs to travel as well as what to look out for. Is he lost?

Give that man a clearly marked out map along with the compass. Now he knows exactly where he is as well as where he needs to be. Is he lost now?

Replace that map with another copy that leads him on a long winding path which ends at that same village. Can he be considered lost? Think your answer through thoroughly.

One way or another, that guy knows where he is headed. He couldn't possibly be lost if he knows where he is going. Yet others may deem him lost from the looks of how he is travelling alone within the jungle in a direction that doesn't seem to be marked by any roads or pathways. A seemingly indistinct path. Who are they to judge? Who are we to say?

The world is a very non-linear existence. We live lives full of cross-junctions and twists and turns. There are many routes that can lead to the same end, as well as similar routes that can lead to vastly differing ends.

Knowing this, can anyone ever be lost? Everyone knows what the are doing relative to their surroundings. Everyone has their own maps and compass in life.

Everyone takes a different path, each headed to their own ends. How could they be lost? Headed in a different direction in life, perhaps. But most definitely not lost. So the next time you wish to deeem another person lost and to tell him so, think twice. He might just be planning to head elsewhere.

You may know the right way, but so does everyone else. And their right way may be the exact opposite of yours. Who knows who is right and who is wrong? Each person's point of view, to him is as real as another's. The heart is the only compass we all have, and it works in mysterious ways. Who are we to say who's lost?