“Fire mission. Coordinates to follow,” I whispered into the radio. It was late in 1970, and I was with a reconnaissance patrol overlooking the notorious “Ho Chi Minh” trail, a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) resupply route bringing men and supplies into South Vietnam. We were alerted to the enemy’s presence by the sound of truck engines, and as we scanned the hills and jungle ahead, we could see their night lights through the trees. I pulled a poncho over my head and, via my red lens flashlight, called in the grid coordinates for what my map showed was just along the Laotian border.

I called for an illumination round, and we waited silently for the “pop” of the flare. When we heard the pop, we were startled because it was behind us, not in front of us. It was only then that we realized we were in Laos! I had been told that the maps of the Vietnamese/Laotian border were not quite accurate, but this was way off. The flare alerted the NVA to our presence, and they fanned out, searching for us.

I gave line-of-sight corrections for a single HE (high explosive) round, which seemed to take forever, as headquarters sought approval to fire into Laos. When the shell finally landed, it was about 100 yards short of the target. As I adjusted the artillery fire, the NVA began firing in our direction in an effort to disrupt our observation of the convoy. The ammunition-laden vehicles started exploding, so we took advantage of the noise and confusion to withdraw to our “correct” side of the border. Talk about hairy!

Being “off the map” in war can be a dangerous thing. Being off the map in our spiritual life can also be dangerous. The fact is, God has ordained a path specifically for you and me. How do I know that? The Apostle Paul told the Ephesian believers, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

It is reasonable to assume the works we are called to do follow a path that God has charted for us. Scripture supports that supposition.

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

All of God’s promises for us are wrapped up in an expectation of obedience. In a sense, the Bible is our map for obedience. While it lays out a general path of obedience, the day-to-day course changes only come in our time of intimate fellowship with Jesus. We’re told: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Our personal devotion time is when we get our “mission brief” for the day ahead. Why? Because we are told, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The “way” Jesus is speaking of is the path God has ordained for us from the foundation of the world. In a sense, He has mapped it out for us, and when we go off the path, we find ourselves in enemy territory and have removed ourselves from the protection of God’s “covering fire” of protection.

Only by staying on mission with Him are we guaranteed His help in time of need. Staying on course is mission critical for God’s protection and provision (“fire support” and “resupply,” to use military terms).

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!