Soon after Charles Lindbergh completed his monumental transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, the US Ambassador to Mexico asked Lindbergh to make another flight in order to foster positive US-Mexico relations.

Taking off from Washington DC on December 13, 1927, Lindbergh began the 24-hour flight to Mexico City. After navigating through dense fog, Lindbergh lost his bearings. With only land markings and a makeshift map, he flew low, attempting to follow road signs. However, he was confused by the repeated signs that read, Caballeros. How could so many towns have identical names? Eventually, he determined that the signs were for men’s restrooms. Embarrassed, Lindbergh finally found his way.

All of us have been lost at one time or another. Our marriage may be in shambles or our career may be a mess. All of us have faced (or will face) seasons when we either can’t see any signs pointing the way forward—or when the signs we’re following seem to lead nowhere.

On multiple occasions, Israel was lost, adrift from God’s intent for them. Worse, their spiritual leaders were the ones leading them in the wrong direction. “Their shepherds have led them astray,” Jeremiah said. Their situation seemed irreparable: They “have lost their way and can’t remember how to get back” (50:6).

Thankfully, God never abandons His people. He never leaves us groping in despair or without hope. God declared that Israel’s dire predicament was not the last word. The people will return home “seeking the Lord their God” (v.4).

We start to find our way whenever our heart begins to yearn again for our God, for our true home. Our “way” forward isn’t actually a direction, but a Person: Jesus.