Good Directions

Look familiar? It is her fault they are lost.

Wife: Do you know where you are going?

Husband: No, but we are making great time.

We have all heard the jokes about men not wanting to ask for directions and for the most part refusing to admit they are lost. I have never been lost. Although I must confess, there have been times I was “momentarily disoriented”.

The youth and young adults of this generation probably laugh when they read something like the above, not because of the subject but rather they have no concept of being lost. They live in a world of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices that are standard features on many new cars, are available as portable GPS units (TomToms and Garmins), and even have it on their cell phones. They can “navigate” to a location, but still have no idea where they are. They confuse arriving at their destination, as knowing where they are and how to navigate. But before we speak too much of technology, let’s continue with men and women navigating.

Why are men better at navigating? Men have the edge in a type of memory called visuospatial processing. Men would be more likely to remember how to find their way out of the woods than women. Men have a better sense of direction. Men are better at getting from point A to point B, but at the same time less likely to realize if they take a wrong term. Men aren’t really reluctant to ask directions, we just do not realize we are lost.

In a recent brain imaging study (largest ever—over 26,000 men and women by Daniel Amen, MD), men had greater activity in regions associated with visual perception, tracking objects through space, and form recognition. Men have better spatial awareness—perhaps explaining why we like to use maps to navigate. This might explain why most men can “visualize” what a house will look like when constructed in 3D while viewing “blueprints” that are 2D.

All jokes aside. Knowing where we are and how to get to our destination is important. In the Marine Corps, we had to master Land Navigation (Land Nav). Since we usually deployed in 5 to 7-man teams behind established lines, we had to know our current location and how to get to our destination. The same principles we learned on land are also used during HAHO (High Altitude High Opening) parachute jumps and Combatant Diving Operations (think SCUBA with guns and bombs). Principles are unchanging, regardless of circumstances.

Lensatic compass and topo map.

My time in the Corps was long before the proliferation of GPS devices. The Department of Defense started working on a “satellite-based” navigation system in the late 50s and early 60s. The USAF was the first service to use a satellite navigation system in the 1970s and it was not until the late 80s that elite military units (USA Special Forces, USN SEALs, USAF CCT/PJs, and USMC Force Recon) started using first-generation hand-held devices. However, they were too bulky and extremely sensitive to weather (rain-blocked signal), water and dirt, and terrain, many units preferred the tried and true method of “map and compass”. Even today, with each man possessing his own GPS device, military units still teach and students must master map and compass techniques.

We used topographical (topo) maps, a Lensatic compass (“glowed” in the dark), grease pens, a ruler, and a length of 550 or paracord. (This is the material used in parachute suspension lines). We tied knots in the cord to keep track of our distance traveled. It is imperative to know how far you have traveled. To obtain your pace count, “ruck up” with all combat gear and clothing, walk a known distance, and count each time your “left foot strikes the deck”—your pace. Then divide that number by distance. Multiply the result by 100. On average, a man on level, smooth ground has a pace count of 60 per 100 meters. Many factors can influence pace count. Unequal weight distribution, direction Sun is shining or rain is falling (we turn our head away from these and go in the direction our head points), uneven ground, one leg longer than the other, uphill/downhill, with/against the wind, etc. In a 5 or 6-man team, at least two people would keep pace count. Every 100 meters, tie a small knot, on the 10^th knot tie it much larger.

Marine using a red lens to view map.

When you start out on a course, you confirm your present location by comparing known surroundings to a topographical map. Set your course. Locate a fixed object(s) in that direction (in front of you) immediately turn 180 degrees and locate a fixed object behind you. Start walking and counting paces along the way. With a known pace count and a known distance between two points, you have a pretty good idea of your present location. Many times we had to perform individual Land Nav courses always at night. We gather with combat loads, a compass, a map, red-lensed flashlights, and a day/night flare (to signal help). We are given a set of coordinates and told to start. We have no idea how many coordinates (checkpoints) we must navigate, or what the maximum time allotted between each coordinate (checkpoint) is. Nor do we know the total maximum allowed time for the entire course. We were not to speak to anyone nor aid another Marine. Once we arrive at a set of coordinates, a Marine manning the checkpoint asks for our name and records the time of arrival. He then asks if we have any injuries that would prevent us from continuing. He then gives the next set of coordinates and asks “Show me where you are now” and “Show me where you are going”. Finally, he records the departure time and tells you to proceed. It is not until you are told to walk down the road to a pick-up point that you know you have completed the course. At that time you do not know if you “made time” or not. You learn that later.

From playing in the woods as a child, then hunting and my time in the Corps, I am fairly comfortable away from city streets and lights. However, there are times when you find yourself “momentarily disoriented”. What then? First, you STOP. Do not take another step forward. Instead, look behind you, and see where you have been. Then backtrack until you are no longer disoriented and know your location. Then plot your course, and proceed to the next set of coordinates.

Life is much like a Land Nav course, but unlike using a map both males and females get lost. Sometimes we know where we are and even our destination and have checkpoints along the way. Then there are times we find ourselves in a dark, densely wooded area and do not know where we are. We might have tripped and fallen down. We are lost and it might take some time but normally we find our way. Then a little while later, we are lost again. Or worse, we find ourselves and make it to our destination only to find that the destination is not where we really wanted to go or is not as it was represented.

It is easy to find your way when you are able to get a “bird’s eye” view, but when we are in the dark woods, we do not have that benefit. Maybe we lost (pace) count or have walked uphill too long and feel like quitting. Maybe we are injured either physically or emotionally and just do not have the desire to continue on. What then? Well, for me I then turn to GPS—God’s Positioning System—and place my trust in Him. God is a fixed point. He is an anchor. Isaiah 30: 21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” From this verse, there are several key points.

1. No matter which way you go on your own, it will not be the right way. We will always be lost unless God helps us.
2. God is willing to show us the way to keep us on the right path. We have to accept His offer.
3. When we are lost, God is behind us. Think of this last one for a moment. God is not where we are expecting to find Him, if so He would not be behind us but where we are looking. This is not the only time God is not where we expect Him. In Revelation 1:12, John hears a voice and God is behind him. Additionally, like Land Nav when we are lost, we must look behind us to find our way.

Once we are found, then we must go in the direction God leads. If and mostly likely when, we choose to go our own way, we will get lost again. We must listen to His directions. The Psalmist writes in Chapter 37:23-24, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Another way of reading that is God leads us and points out all the objects that could make us stumble or fall. He is in front, and we follow. Only when we “turn to the right or to the left” and leave Him behind, do we lose His guidance. Many times when I am walking through those dense woods thinking I am following Him only to learn I am blazing my own trail. I must go back to Him. He is right where I left Him. He will then lead me home.

Over the years Kim Watson and I have made several road trips. She is as smart and intelligent as anyone I have ever met. However, she is not that great with directions. That is okay, all that data at the beginning of this post, explains this. On one of our trips, we were listening to some road trip CDs and one of our favorite songs was “Good Directions” by Billy Currington. For those that have not heard the song, it tells of a young man sitting on the side of the road selling fresh-picked turnip greens, much like any roadside vegetable stand we see here in the South. Along came a city girl that was lost and “lookin’ for the interstate”. He gives her directions to a country store and to go inside to ask the owner Ms. Bell for a glass of iced tea and she could then give directions to the interstate. Well, the next thing you know she is back. It appears she got her glass of iced tea and Ms. Bell—his mom—gave her directions right back to him. To me, this song demonstrates we can get not only where we are going, but where we are destined to be if we just follow the right directions and get them from the right person.

Are you having trouble finding your way? Are you lost? Do you find yourself stopping and not recognizing your surroundings? Do you even know where you are going? Many of us can say “I once was lost, but now I’m found.” Can you? Perhaps, you simply need someone who can give you “Good Directions”.

"God will show me the path of life". Psalm 16:11