Understanding the True North Blog Series for Good Soil Ministries
This True North Good Soil Blog discusses how people concentrate on the wrong thing in life and what things in life can build good soil. They think it’s their true north, but they are off course. These initial blog posts explore subtle ways that seemingly positive pursuits can become problems. Personal fulfillment and making an impact can become distorted compasses. Consequently, they lead us away from genuine meaning and connection.
The Bible warns us about this very issue: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). What seems like the right path can actually lead us away from God’s best for our lives.
Key Points: What This Blog Series Covers
Central Theme: Magnetic North vs. True North
This blog series explores how people mistake “magnetic north” (seemingly positive but ultimately misguided pursuits) for “true north” (authentic, balanced living aligned with God’s purposes). Just as a compass can be drawn off course by magnetic interference, our lives can be pulled away from God’s best by pursuits that appear righteous but lack proper foundation.
Blog Series Purpose
Each blog post in this series serves multiple purposes:
- Examine how good intentions become unhealthy obsessions – showing the subtle progression from healthy interest to destructive fixation
- Show the progression from healthy interest to destructive fixation – illustrating how noble goals can become idols that damage relationships
- Help readers recognize misaligned priorities before relationship damage occurs with family, friends, and God
- Serve as diagnostic tools for self-reflection – allowing readers to identify their own “magnetic north” patterns
Story Examples You’ll Encounter
Throughout this series, you’ll meet composite characters whose stories reveal common patterns:
- Michael’s self-fulfillment trap – how personal passion can become destructive obsession
- Ethan’s service addiction – how community service can become an unhealthy compulsion
- Janet’s career advancement obsession – how professional ambition can destroy family relationships
- Thomas’s educational attainment fixation – how academic achievement can replace meaningful connection
- Other composite stories showing various forms of misguided “true north” including money obsession, recognition seeking, and more
End Goal: The True North Realignment Guide
The series culminates in a comprehensive resource that helps readers:
- Identify personal “magnetic north” distractions – recognizing seemingly positive pursuits that have become unhealthy
- Recalibrate priorities using evidence-based strategies – practical tools grounded in both research and Scripture
- Create sustainable balance and integrated living – learning to honor God while pursuing legitimate goals
- Build “good soil” for flourishing life – establishing heart conditions that produce lasting fruit
The General Purpose of These Early Blogs
Examining Good Intentions Gone Wrong
The opening blog series examines how good intentions can become misguided obsessions. Through composite stories like Michael’s self-fulfillment trap, these blogs reveal important truths. Similarly, Ethan’s service addiction shows how people often mistake intensity for purpose. They mistake busyness for meaning. Therefore, the narratives demonstrate how individuals become focused on their perceived “calling.” Whether personal passion or community service, they lose sight of relationships. Consequently, they forget responsibilities that provide true fulfillment.
Jesus addressed this imbalance when He said: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). Even good activities can distract us from what matters most.
Recognizing Dangerous Patterns
Furthermore, these stories illustrate the dangerous progression from healthy interest to unhealthy fixation. They show how people rationalize neglecting their closest relationships. Instead, they pursue what feels like noble goals. However, the blogs serve as diagnostic tools. They help readers recognize when their “true north” has become a false compass. As a result, it leads them away from integrated, balanced living.
Scripture reminds us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). We must carefully examine our motivations and ensure our pursuits align with God’s priorities.
Preventing Relationship Damage
Ultimately, the purpose helps readers identify their own misaligned priorities. This happens before they cause irreparable damage to their most important relationships. Additionally, it protects their own well-being.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of relationships: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). God designed us for community, not isolated pursuits.
The True North Realignment Guide
Comprehensive Life Alignment Resource
At the end of the True North blog series, there is a comprehensive guide. This practical resource takes you from magnetic north that subtly draws you away. Instead, it guides you to true north that brings genuine fulfillment in life.
Jesus provides the ultimate True North: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). When Christ is our True North, all other aspects of life find their proper alignment.
Identifying Personal Distractions
Moreover, the guide provides actionable steps to identify your personal “magnetic north” distractions. These are seemingly positive pursuits that have become unhealthy obsessions. Additionally, it offers evidence-based strategies to recalibrate your priorities. Therefore, you learn to integrate your passions with your relationships and responsibilities.
Scripture teaches us about proper priorities: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). When we put God’s kingdom first, everything else falls into proper order.
Check out the Good Soil Ministries Newsletter for more direction.
Practical Tools for Balance
Finally, the alignment guide includes reflection exercises and boundary-setting techniques. It provides practical tools for creating sustainable balance. Ultimately, this resource helps you discover how true fulfillment works. It doesn’t come from pursuing isolated goals. Rather, it comes from living an integrated life where personal growth enhances connections. Consequently, it establishes good soil to plant seeds that will flourish.
The parable of the Sower illustrates this principle: “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23). Good soil—a heart aligned with God’s purposes—produces abundant fruit in all areas of life.
Resources Mentioned Throughout This Series
As you journey through these blog posts, you’ll find references to valuable resources that support the True North realignment process:
- Good Soil Ministries Newsletter – Regular insights on building good soil for spiritual growth
- Emotional Integrative Therapy course – Practical solutions for achieving life balance while maintaining biblical principles
Biblical Foundation for True North Living
Scripture provides clear guidance for living according to God’s True North:
Wisdom Over Knowledge: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom starts with reverence for God.
Love Over Achievement: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love for God and others should guide all our pursuits.
Service Over Status: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). True greatness comes through serving others, not self-promotion.
Trust Over Control: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God’s guidance is more reliable than our own planning.
Check out the Emotional Integrative Therapy course as a practical solution to balancing out your life while maintaining biblical principles for authentic living that honors God and builds His kingdom.
