I’ll never forget the sting of the Texas sun at Camp Bullis, just outside of San Antonio. It was the next phase of my training, following Basic Training and the Police Academy at Lackland Air Force Base. This training wasn’t just about learning the ins and outs of the M60 machine gun or polishing our field discipline—it was survival training in its rawest form. Out there in the wild terrain, you either adapted or you got lost. Literally.

One of the most essential portions of our field training was compass navigation. Now, this wasn’t just about map-reading for the sake of passing a test. In real-world combat or security situations, knowing where you are—and where you’re headed—can be the difference between safety and disaster.

I remember one drill vividly: our team was dropped in unfamiliar territory with only a compass, a map, and a mission objective. No smartphones, no GPS. Just old-school bearings and our wits. The rule was simple: trust your compass. Don’t let your eyes or assumptions override the instrument. If your gut told you to go east, but the compass pointed north, you followed north.

And that’s when it hit me, even back then: the compass doesn’t care how you feel.  It doesn’t adjust based on public opinion, popular trends, or even your sense of direction. It’s fixed. It’s faithful. It’s true. It’s the absolute truth, a reliable guide that we can always trust!

That same principle applies to life, what we trust, and to faith.

We live in a world that wants to trust gut feelings, vibes, and trending opinions. Everyone’s a self-made navigator these days. But if we ignore the spiritual compass of absolute truth, we’re bound to get lost in the woods of confusion and chaos. In contrast, God's unchanging truth stands as a stable anchor in the midst of shifting sands.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus doesn’t just give us a truth or a direction—He says plainly: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

That’s not subjective. That’s not up for debate. That’s absolute truth—unchanging, non-negotiable, and eternally relevant.

What is absolute truth?

Absolute truth is truth that applies to all people, in all places, at all times, regardless of belief or circumstance. In other words, it is not based on culture, gender, or age. It doesn’t shift with emotions, polls, or politics. It’s objective, but deeper. It’s normative, but not man-made. It’s not just true for me—it’s true whether I like it or not. For instance, when faced with a moral dilemma, absolute truth can guide us in making the right decision, irrespective of societal norms or personal desires.

Just like that compass out at Camp Bullis, it continues to point in the same direction. And ignoring it won’t stop you from getting lost.

Why it matters now more than ever!

We’re raising generations that are often taught that truth is whatever you make it to be. But let me be clear: that kind of “freedom” leads to wandering, not flourishing. Emptiness rather than fulfillment is the result every time. 

Truth, when it’s absolute, is a foundation. It’s a lifeline. It’s how we find our way when everything else seems to shift.

God’s Word is that kind of compass. His truth—revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus—is what keeps us grounded when the terrain of life gets rugged, and I promise, it will.

Thus, I pose to you the same question I once asked myself under the sweltering Texas sun: What guides you when you feel adrift? Are you relying on your emotions, or are you in harmony with something larger, something designed to lead you to the destination where everyone succeeds? A sense of fulfillment, arriving at a place where all benefit. 

In today’s world, it takes courage to walk in absolute truth. But when you do, you’ll never walk in circles again. You’ll walk with confidence, direction, and purpose.

Here are a few things to reflect on this week:

1. What compass are you using?  Are you navigating life based on feelings, culture, or convenience—or are you anchoring your direction in God’s unchanging truth? The choice of your compass is a personal responsibility that empowers you to steer your life in the right direction.
2. Have you ever been “lost” because you trusted your gut over truth? What happened? What did you learn from the experience?
3. How can you strengthen your spiritual compass this week?  Consider memorizing John 14:6 or setting aside time to read Psalm 119, which is a celebration of God’s unchanging Word. Additionally, you can engage in regular prayer and meditation on God's Word to strengthen your spiritual compass.

Next in the Series: Applied Truth

As always…Stay salty. Shine bright. Suit up.

Pastor Drake