HOW BADLY CAN WE VEER OFF FROM GOD’S WILL? — Part 9d

The View From Above: Thoughts To Help With Everyday Life

October 12, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

HOW BADLY CAN WE VEER OFF FROM GOD’S WILL? — Part 9d

That’s a question we can all ask because it can be ever so slight…veering from God’s will, that is.

A few degrees and a plane can be hundreds of miles off course, and the pilot doesn’t realize it.

On July 17, 1938, “Wrong Way Corrigan,” as he came to be known, took off from New York heading toward Long Beach, California, except he wasn’t…he ended up in Ireland!

Corrigan claimed his transatlantic flight was due to a navigational error, caused by heavy cloud cover that obscured landmarks and by misreading his compass in low-light conditions.

Well, whatever…he ended up in the wrong place.

Life can disorient us; we misread the landscape and make decisions that take us places we never intended.

We are all traveling through life, and I wonder if we are all on course, or a few degrees off?

Or like Wrong Way Corrigan…way off course.

Usually, the process of veering off from God’s will for our lives begins subtly, slowly over time…it’s called drift…and we don’t realize it’s happening until we find ourselves at a different destination than what we intended.

Financial disaster, a problematic marriage, then divorce, or we make an ill-advised major decision, and there we are…heading toward Ireland when we intended to be in Long Beach.

That is how misguided our decisions can be.

Hebrews 2:1

“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

How do we avoid drift?

That is the important matter to consider.

You could be drifting now, and it would be helpful to know that we are if we are.

Stay close to Jesus and His Word.

If you’re unsure about a decision, get help, seek counseling from your pastor, and someone around you who has proven wisdom.

Stop the bad habits that have gotten you into trouble. (Unwise spending habits, neglecting your marriage, etc.)

Don’t let pride drive you.

You made a decision or decisions, and they are wrong…don’t be so proud you can’t acknowledge you’ve made some mistakes and then change course.

Maintain humility.

That’s really what it takes to allow God and others to help steer you in the right direction.

Give consideration to this today.

Drift?

Maybe, why don’t you take an honest evaluation of the direction you are headed?

You may think you’re on course, but in reality, you’re heading toward Ireland.

It would be good to know that as soon as possible…so that you can make a turn and start heading toward Long Beach, which is where you intended to go in the first place.

Psalms 121:8

“The LORD shall preserve (keep you safe and protect) your going out and your coming in, from this time forth, and even forevermore.”