A strange term, "boxing the compass." As a subscriber to Epiclesis.org I receive the regular e-Newsletters. Pastor Chris Alford discusses the several meanings for "boxing the compass," but the one he focuses on (and that I like best from a spiritual standpoint) is as follows:
When a compass, especially the electronic kind, gets off kilter, you have to walk or drive or sail with it in a large square pattern, or box, in order to recalibrate it. "Boxing the compass" reorients it to the North. It properly aligns the compass again.
So, why do I like this description better than others? Because we all need to be mindful to occasionally recalculate (or box) our own compass - especially when horrible incomprehensible events occur, such as has in the international Domodedovo Airport just this morning (Monday, January 24, 2011). While I yet slept peacefully in my bed in western America, someone had convinced him- (or her) self that this was a "right" thing to do. There must have been a very strong conviction about it, but what about the lives of the innocent now lost to us forever? And how do we cope with the inability to take the perpetrator to task about this heinous deed - because he/she too is gone....?? How do we find forgiveness in this moment? By "boxing the compass." And how do we "box the compass?" By allowing Jesus to move us inwardly around the spiritual N/S/E/W of His love, of His justice, of His comfort and peace. Join me in praying for the families and individuals that have been torn apart by this incident. And remember: somewhere a mother mourns the senseless loss of her child who was so convicted and so convinced and so deceived as to commit this action against his/her fellow man.
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