Wayfinding
Richard Mansel reports that in a brochure for the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, the writer describes a new feature in the museum from recent renovations. The designers have “opened the place up” to allow for more natural lighting. Architects call this feature “wayfinding.” According to the brochure…
"Wayfinding is a term architects use to describe the intuitive way
a person finds their way through a building with outside visual clues.
It can be overwhelming to be lost in a museum, so giving a visitor [an] occasional glimpse [of] the outside is a good way to orient [the patron] and to help them further appreciate the museum experience." *
The architectural property of wayfinding illustrates the need that EACH of us has for guidance. The prophet Jeremiah expressed this truth a long time ago: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
The Architect of the universe has provided instruction so that we can find our way. The Psalmist declared, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). God has revealed that the ultimate goal for all humanity is to live with Him forever in heaven (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21). He has also revealed that the ONLY WAY to heaven is through His Son, Jesus. Jesus said, "I amTHE way,THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”
(John 14:6).
Sin causes us to lose our way and will cause us to be lost eternally (Romans 6:23). However, because of His great love for us, God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and the hope of living eternally with Him (Ephesians 1:7)!
The way to heaven through Christ has been illuminated for us in Scripture.
We must: believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then, if we continue to follow Jesus faithfully, He will lead us to our eternal home (1 John 1:7).
It IS overwhelming to try to navigate through life without the proper guidance. In fact, without the proper direction, we are lost! But, thanks to the loving Architect of life, we can “find our way” to an abundant life now and eternal life to come through Jesus (John 10:10; Romans 6:23).
YOU can find your way by submitting to THE Way: Christ. Won’t you?
David A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
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* Richard Mansel, “A Window to Heaven.” Forthright Magazine -- http://www.forthright.net/square_one/a_window_to_heaven.html. Mansel quotes Cinda Sherman, publisher, "Northeast Florida's Art and Cultural Scene (Jacksonville: Arbus, August 07-June 08), 31.