My wife tells me that when I come to an intersection I should decide which way to go, then go the other way. My directional challenges are legendary in our family. I can go to a restaurant ten times and not remember how to find it again. Even as we speak I'm not sure if Bubba's fried chicken is north or south of Lovers Lane, though I've eaten enough food there to die of cholesterol.

Apparently I'm not the only one with directional challenges today. This morning's New York Times reports that a farmer's home in northern Serbia was destroyed last Monday when three pigs broke out of their pen, walked into the living room, and knocked over the television. The TV tube burst, starting a fire which consumed the house. No people were hurt, but the pigs perished. All because they didn't know where they were.

Now a new cellphone proposes to help people like me. The Pharos G.P.S. Phone 600 is in the Times today. It will calculate directions, call out turns in the road, and display a three-dimension map of my location. The phone runs Windows Mobile 5.0 and can handle music and video. By the way, the device will make phone calls if I insist.

Are you dealing with directional challenges in your soul today? Not sure how to find North on your spiritual compass? You're busy with work and family responsibilities, or juggling school and friends. You're multi-tasking as never before, listening to your iPod while checking email on your cell phone and surfing the Web on your computer. But in the midst of all your hustle and hurry, is there a yearning for something more? Are you in need of a sense of security, serenity, purpose and peace?

Part of our problem is that the world is so much with us. Most of us have grown up in a culture which says we are what we have, and we can never have enough. A story comes to mind: an American tourist in Israel visited in a Jewish rabbi's home. The visitor was surprised at its austerity: a bed, a table and lamp, and a chair. He remarked on the home's lack of furnishings, to which the rabbi smiled and said, "I see your luggage there--is that all you have in life?" "Of course not," the tourist replied. "I'm just passing through." The rabbi nodded and said, "So am I."

Which of your activities today will outlive you? Not the money you make, or the grades you earn. The next person you see will outlive the stars in the sky. Show that person God's love in yours, loving your neighbor as yourself, and you will step in God's direction for your day. No GPS phone needed.

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