GPS AND OBEDIENCE

 “Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. ~ Isaiah 30:21

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” ~ John 16:13 (Jesus is referring to sending the Holy Spirit to comfort, lead and guide us.)

I was running late to a very important meeting and decided to use my cell phone’s GPS (Global Positioning System) to plot the route and guide me electronically to my destination instead of relying on my memory, lest I make a wrong turn that would cost precious minutes. “Alright GPS, take me the surest and quickest route.” I said as I plugged in the address and off I drove.

The GPS instructed me to go so many feet and turn right. As I headed down the street, the GPS again prepared me to turn after so many feet from this new point. At the intersection, the GPS commanded, “Turn Right.” I obeyed the GPS and turned right and began riding down that street. GPS then again warned that I will be turning left on such and such street in so many feet. Then as I approached that street’s intersection, I was reminded to go so many more feet before turning left. At the intersection, GPS commanded, “Turn left.”

So far so good, but I quickly began to feel a little irritated with the GPS, which is quite silly because the GPS is a machine and I am not. I certainly have the choice to use it or not and I certainly have the ability to follow its instructions or not. But while I totally agreed with the GPS’ directions so far, I began to be a little irritated with being told what street to take next because I have traveled these familiar streets for over 20 years. After reminding myself of the fact that I didn’t know where to turn outside of my stomping grounds, I continued to let the bossy mechanical voice tell me what to do!

Mechanical bliss began to fade even more when the GPS told me to turn left at a street I believed to be too soon because my familiar way is to go down one more intersection before turning. But, did the GPS know something from its satellite viewpoint such as a construction stoppage up ahead that will affect how long my trip will take? Thank goodness for being stopped at a red traffic light to allow me time to sort out my next choice. It was at this point the Holy Spirit began to show me how the GPS is like my following my Lord.

How often have I asked the Lord to please guide me and show me when to go to the left and to the right? I truly do want to be His obedient daughter and I know His way is sure and His path is the best route for me. But when I hear the Lord’s guidance telling me to turn “left” at a life’s intersection and go in His unfamiliar direction, I often resist turning left. So why do I resist when the very reason I arrived at this life’s turn is because I had earnestly sought the Lord for direction, prayed for His will in my life and was seeking out spiritual confirmations? However, instead of turning confidently when presented with His best life choice, I open the door to doubt and unbelief as I ponder the wisdom of tuning left at this very moment based upon my own rationales and my past experiences of what might happen should I turn at this juncture. I am not saying we shouldn’t consult the Lord regarding life’s turns or look for Biblical confirmations or seek wise counsel from our Christian accountability friends or pastor(s). Rather, seeking wise counsel is important and Scripture encourages us to have “an abundance of counselors” who help us stay on God’s path for our lives. However, Scripture does not say to keep going to many counselors until you get the answer you want to hear. It is like going to Mom for an answer you want to hear and then going to Dad when you don’t get the answer you wanted from Mom. Scripture clearly instructs us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding.

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” ~ Proverbs 11:14

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

I believe our sweet Lord is asking us, “Will you trust me or will you allow your ways to be higher than mine? (also a definition of idolatry.) “Will you trust me? Will you believe I have good plans in store for you? Will you choose to believe Me and release your doubt and unbelief?

The Lord wants to show each one of us our path of life He has called us to walk daily. It is a joyful thing to be in the will of God. When we seek Him with all of our hearts, we are promised we will find our Lord God. And as we find our compassionate Lord God, we find ourselves leaning in closer for more of His intimate relationship. His presence fills us with joy and we cannot help but love Him even more and respond to His call to go deeper with Him, even if He says to take an unfamiliar path. Know this dear friends, when we are led onto an unfamiliar path, this very path will lead us deeper into His presence and fullness of joy.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” ~ Jeremiah 29:13

“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” ~ Psalm 16:11

Talk about a joy ride! Let the Holy Spirit be your GPS (God’s Positioning Spirit) and experience all the goodness He has for you. Go ahead, make that left turn and seek him with all your heart. You will not be disappointed, but find His joy and His calm delight full of pleasures forevermore.