A compass is a simple instrument but very effective. When we have lost our bearings we can be re-orientated. Throughout the Scriptures we discover the ‘compass’ of God’s love. Invariably it points away from us. In this passage we read once more that our love should be directed to others. We are mistaken if we think it should be pointed to ourselves. On the rare occasion when we hold a compass and it points to us then if we are to follow it we will end up having to walk backwards – never a good idea! And when we love ourselves more than we love others then it is a backward step for us and the communities that we are part of.
God’s compass of love is always pointing us towards others as he calls us to show his grace to them. We need to open our eyes to see those God is pointing us towards to love. We can be so preoccupied with ourselves that we don’t even notice others or we may think that there will be other people who will love them.
When we use a compass and map to discover where we should go we often need to change direction to get to our destination unless we are adept at walking sideways or backwards. Likewise in our call to love others, we cannot stay where we are and will often find ourselves having to change direction in order to reach out to them. But it is worth it because it is the way to life as opposed to death. Although it is also costly. We are reminded that for Jesus the compass of love led him to death (as well as resurrection) and as we follow the call to love we are to be prepared to lay down our lives for the sake of others.