The
Boy Scout Oath talks about duty. This is a dimension of life not
emphasized in today's world. Obligation is a part of a good life.
President John Kennedy touched upon this when he said, “Ask not
what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your
country.” It is in an awareness of responsibilities where we
discover meaning and direction. The trust placed in us by God and
country can be a source of inspiration.
“On
my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and
to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep
myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”
We
need a sense of inner direction to keep from getting lost in life's
journey. The awareness of a sacred oath before God and sharing
fellowship with an accountable community is a source of inner
direction.
A
compass is used when hiking in the forest. It is easy to get lost
even with the best of maps. The compass orients the map with the
magnetic needle showing the direction of true North. This little hand
held guide keeps the hiker from going in circles. Some hikers after
losing their compass walk long distances in what they think is the
right way but only become lost in confusion. This direction finder
assists in making true progress to the destination of home.
The
Boy Scout Oath has roots in the constraints of the message of Christ.
Because of the great mercy and generosity of God's unmerited grace we
live under obligation. When we are baptized we make an oath to
Christ to follow His commands, forgive others, to do our best to
grow, and to do kind deeds.
May
we all often check our course with the compass of Christ who lives within
us in His Spirit. It would help us to take note of the inner
direction finder of His moral commands and His still small voice of
duty. The world can offer us maps for pleasure, popularity, and
material success. The big problem is the world does not provide a
compass to keep us from getting lost in the pursuit of success.
Thank
God that in His mercy He provides the compass we need with our vows
of duty to Christ and the guidance of His holy moral laws. We are
offered the spiritual magnetic needle in Christ to lead us on the
road that leads to life abundant.
The
Scouts are an example of oath of holy duty.
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