Dead Reckoning Then and Now
Dead reckoning navigation began with the first seagoing voyages beyond the sight of land. Celestial observation and DR developed simultaneously with DR being the primary means of navigation under overcast skies. It was also a confirmation of sun and star measurings. All that is required, then and now, is a compass, a speed measuring device, and a time piece. Unfortunately, an error in any one of the instruments or calculations will likely result in failure to arrive at the planned destination.
We may have every reason to believe that our direction in a certain area of our lives is logical and good only to find out later that we missed one planning factor. Every thing we do in life should pass the test of the leading of the Holy Spirit, biblical instruction, prayer, and the advice of other believers. Missing one of these crosschecks is like missing a dead reckoning element–it causes us to miss our planned destination.