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The Early Years: Morals Without Direction

To understand what provides direction in life, I must revisit my early childhood. I was raised with a strong foundation of morals and values. However, during those formative years and well into my thirties, I was emotionally, mentally, and spiritually lost. Therefore, I cannot attribute any particular guidance to my upbringing, aside from the moral compass instilled in me, which merely served as a rudimentary sense of right and wrong. I was essentially an emotional wanderer seeking direction.

The Inner Compass Awakens

My experiences include exploring various places, such as churches and groups. Invariably, an inner voice sensed that these influences were not for me; they did not resonate with my innate being. I believe an internal guidance system exists—one that provides direction and leads. It recognizes what feels familiar or opposed, and whether it is preferable to stay or to withdraw. This internal compass helped me discern whom I enjoy being around and whom I do not.

Experience as a Teacher

Nevertheless, even with moral principles and an inner sense of preference, a sense of direction remains elusive and is actively sought—specifically, a direction that fosters fulfillment, akin to following a map to a destination. Once this destination is attained, a sense of completeness ensues, and the journey concludes. I posit that experience functions as a guiding compass. As I gain lessons from my experiences, I learn to apply my inner understanding to them. This, in turn, enhances my sense of self, and both experience and learned lessons direct my path—propelling me forward in continual growth and learning until I reach a state of fulfillment.

The Question of Innate Morality

The question arises: if innate morals and values were never imparted to me, what principles would I then apply to life situations, experiences, and lessons? Would I possess an innate sense of morality—an internal awareness of what is right or wrong? Based on my internal sense of where I belong and where I feel uncomfortable, I would affirm that I do. It functions similarly to intuition or a third eye—an awareness that perceives what is needed and repels what is undesirable.

Discovering Scripture and the Teachings of Jesus

When I first encountered the Bible and began reading it, I felt an immediate connection to the stories. It felt like home because I finally found something my inner being could relate to. I found the stories and principles believable, and they fostered a sense of belonging and understanding within me. The nature of my innermost being found solace in these stories and principles. Specifically, learning about Jesus and the principles His teachings embody became a path my inner self automatically recognized and adhered to; it was an automatic consideration—a route back to my “home,” a pathway toward fulfillment and a sense of being found.

A Transformation of the Inner Life

My soul surrendered to the profound truth conveyed through these stories and principles without external coercion. They became the foundation of my inner being’s essence—food for my spiritual hunger and guidance for my seeking. It was a liberation—an anchoring that provided everything necessary for my inner life.

While my early moral and value systems, inherited from my parents, served as initial anchors, they did not nourish my soul or save me from internal struggles. They were not sufficient to prevent feelings of being lost or to provide navigation within my inner realm. However, the teachings of Jesus and the map they outlined transformed my understanding profoundly. Unlike my early morals, which instructed outward conduct, His teachings offered a way to inner peace—a refuge for my soul that provided guidance, solace, and freedom unlike anything I had encountered.

The Holy Spirit and the Creator as My Guiding Source

These teachings introduced me to the Holy Spirit and how to connect directly with a supreme source—what I call the Creator of the Universe. Consequently, the guiding path of my life is rooted in the stories and principles of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. This is not practiced in a strictly religious sense but rather as a spiritual discovery—an inner journey toward a liberated and fulfilled self. It is a way of becoming rather than merely practicing, ultimately leading to liberation from the many afflictions that plague the soul.

The True Direction of My Life

This inner compass guides me, independent of external influences, teaching me to be true to myself regardless of worldly circumstances. I traverse the world grounded in this internal guidance, which supports and shapes my existence; it is the foundation and the true direction of my life.