Navigating Systems

"The Lord says,"I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."" (Psalm 32:8)

A few months ago I had my very first encounter with a GPS device. I don't own one and I think it's probably a very good thing that I don't!


If you've ever had a battle with a navigational device of any sort then I'm sure you will agree that they rank right up there with Satan! :) Now I am sure that if you use one long enough you get used to it, but the one that was placed on my windshield was temporary and even after a week I was ready to pull it off and toss it out my window! And what I can't figure out is how a law is passed preventing you from holding your cell phone while driving and yet they freely and legally allow these things to be used in your car. Talk about a distraction!


The funny thing is, I heard a news report saying that within the next year or so, they won't even work due to the fact that the satellites in space are decaying and there is currently no money available to use for repairing them. Shucks...


Every now and again I find myself thinking about that little device, how it stressed me out and my resistance to it. After pondering it a few times I discovered that while I am resistant to allowing a GPS system to guide me, I am also hesitant with allowing God to do the same.


A GPS device has one main purpose. To get you from point A to point B. From what I understand they don't necessarily map out the quickest or the safest route, but eventually they get you where you need to be.


And God? Well, His purpose is pretty much the same thing. He has one goal...to get us from point A to point B. Sometimes our journey takes us down roads we'd prefer to avoid altogether. Sometimes the path is dark and gloomy, and sometimes it is full of road construction. Then there are those times when you sit back shaking your head while asking the question, "Are we there yet?!" And many times I find myself getting impatient with God's direction, resist following it, display a little "road rage" and finally decide to take my very own little "detour."


Ultimately, I know where my "point B" is. The "detours" I am referring to are the more personal roads, that I want to take when I think God is taking too long at the red lights and stop signs, or suffering from a "navigational malfunction." ...ever feel this way?


Like...
(God's direction):
"Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it." (1 Peter 3:9)

My "initial" response:

Are you kidding me?! How "fair" is that? Let's just allow someone else to tear us (and sometimes even the ones we love) to shreds, leaving the door wide open for them to insult us all over again! No thanks, I prefer the eye for an eye tactic!

Or...

(God's direction):

"The seed that fell among the thorns represent those who hear God's word,but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life." (Matthew 13:22)

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7)

"I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. they don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ...These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:25-27, 32-34)

My (all too frequent) attitude:

When am I going to find enough time to get everything done that needs to be done? If my brother can't get his portion of the rent money to me, how in the heck am I going to pay the rent? And if I don't have something to worry about, I worry that I'm forgetting something important! And I am convinced I have an ulcer...why not worry about that?!


And one of my "favorites":
"The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."" (Genesis 2:18)

I say:
Well then where is he?! Seriously, I'm 36 years old so where is he?! After all these roads you've taken me down with several encounters yet no "helper?" Next fork in the road I am definitely going with my own sense of direction. This is getting ridiculous!

God says:
""I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."" (Jeremiah 29:11)
My response:
I get the whole plans for good thing. But this future that you mention? Could we speed up that process just a tad?"


Ok, so there's quite a bit of exaggerating in my responses to Scripture. I make these remarks with a smile on my face because I know that I'm not the only one who "thinks" the way I do and as these thoughts leave my mind and find their way onto my blogspot, my heart truly beats in peace...knowing well that God does have a plan for me...He has my journey mapped out completely and when I veer off course it doesn't throw Him off, at all! And while a GPS system can suffer a technical malfunction when the satellites decay and stop working, God remains. When we take what we believe to be the smoothest, fastest, more "sensible" route He quietly sits beside us in the passenger seat refusing to play the role of a "backseat driver" yet always being the first to step up and repair a flat tire that we may get along the way. He's right there when we pull into a rest area and surrender our weariness, our stubbornness, and our brokenness. He just...waits.

...unlike the voice on my friend's navigator that demands you take the next exit, or make a U-turn at the next intersection.