Directionally Challenged

 


by Shelia Gaines

Verses for Thought:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  Psalms 32:8.
You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him, and keep his commandments and obey his voice; and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.  Deut. 13:4

Go .2 miles and turn right.  Recalculating.  Make a legal u-turn when possible.  Go .1 mile and turn right.  Destination is on your right.

All these phrases are easily recognizable as phrases from a GPS system.  GPS is supposed to work in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.  However, there are times when you will occasionally hear the words “GPS signal unavailable”.  When I hear available anywhere, anytime without fail, I immediately think of is the omnipresence of God.   Unlike the GPS, He is always available because He will never leave us or forsake us.   God has assured us of that in his word.

As a directionally challenged person, I can appreciate the value of a GPS system.  Directionally challenged is a “kind” phrase for someone who does not have a good sense of direction or gets lost easily and often.  The hard thing to explain about being directionally challenged is the fact that you don’t have to be in an unfamiliar place to get lost and you often go in the same wrong direction each time.  It’s easy for someone who has a good sense of direction to become irritated with someone who is directionally challenged.

Because I have the vivid imagination of a writer, I imagine what we must look like to God as we travel this road often referred to as our spiritual journey.  I think what a sad state we would be in if he just became irritated and gave up on us when we get lost along the way.  On the other hand, I confess to being guilty of looking at someone who seems to make the same mistake repeatedly and wondering why it’s so hard for them to see they are on the wrong path.   Yet, in my own spiritual walk, there are still times when I take a path of my choosing, wandering aimlessly instead of turning to God and asking him which way to go.

Today’s verses for thought remind us that God has left us the ultimate GPS for Spiritual direction (his word).   We don’t need a subscription, it’s free.  We will never hear service unavailable and our destination has already been programmed in.   We don’t have to worry about life’s little traffic jams, side roads and u-turns.   All we have to do is read and study his directions and stay on the right path.  While he has not promised us an easy journey, he does assure us that if we do that we will arrive safely at our destination.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the ultimate GPS System of you word.  Help us to remember that we need only to follow your direction and guidance in this journey of life.  Let me not be afraid to make a u turn when necessary or take a different path altogether, if necessary.  I know that as long as you are leading me, I will not be lost.  I know the path you choose may not always be the easiest one, but it is the best one for me because you know what’s down the road.

Take The Next Step: 
Try beginning each day with a virtual GPS agenda.  Spend a few minutes in prayer and meditation and try to discern which direction God is leading you that day.  Ask God to show you a scripture that you can take with you throughout the day.  Paraphrase that verse or scripture in your own GPS language and write it down for future reference.

Proverbs 4:26-27  (NIV)

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways. 

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; 

keep your foot from evil.

My GPS for today.
Pray first and seek God’s direction.
Stay focused.  Do not exit.
Go as many miles as God directs staying behind him all the way.