GPS “Recalculating”

    Two years ago, my friend Judy & I took a vacation to Florida. Not knowing how to get to our destination and my lack of direction in driving, we used a GPS (Global Positioning System) to guide us. It was a comfort knowing that someone (in this case something) knew the way. Well, most of the time anyway. We realized when we saw the same Halloween decorations, in a residential area, three times, that even a GPS occasionally gets confused.  There were also a few times when we decided to go our own way (you know those side trips that are so intriguing). The voice on our GPS would say “recalculating” and give us directions to get back on our route.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16

    As Christians, the Holy Spirit is our GPS (God’s Positioning System). 2 Timothy 3:16 states that all scripture is inspired by God. Therefore, the Word of God is a reliable tool in our life. (More so than the GPS gadget used on our trip.) It’s profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

Doctrine (defined as principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles) tells us the roads we are to travel.

Reproof (defined as blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; reprehension) tells us when we are off the road or on the wrong road.

Correction tells us how to get back on the correct road.

Instruction in righteousness teaches us to how to obey God’s traffic rules.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:2

    We also need discernment. On our trip, Judy & I recognized when the GPS took us the wrong way. Unlike our GPS, the Holy Spirit will never misguide us, but we must learn to hear and obey. This requires prayer, Bible reading and study, fellowship with other disciples and basking in His presence.

    Although our decisions are seldom final, and our failures seldom, if ever, fatal, the detours in our journey with God should not be taken lightly. God’s discipline is always delivered with love, but, our disobedience does result in consequences and setbacks.

    Road signs are essential when traveling.  They tell us what’s ahead, where to turn, when to stop and when to go. For signs to be effective, we must read them, then we must follow them. Our GPS informed us of some, but for confirmation, or such things as un-reported accidents or construction, we still needed to be physically aware of them. These signs ensure safety and minimize detours. Same with God. When we read His Word and listen to the Holy Spirit, we’ll have a safer journey with minimal detours, accidents and roadblocks.

    Because of our human nature, we won’t always make the best choices and our focus won’t be totally on Him every minute of every day, but we have the best GPS, the Holy Spirit, who is always ‘recalculating’ to help us get back on route. When I take a detour or hit a roadblock, I can hear God telling me, “Recalculating. It’s ok. It may take a little longer because you got off route, but I will still guide you to your destination.”

    I listened to the lady (GPS voice) say “recalculating” more times than I cared to during that trip. Even knowing it was just a recording, I still expected her to begin to get upset with us. Her voice was a bit stern, but she never yelled, never sounded irritated, and never told us we were idiots for not listening and obeying her directions. God is the same way. He’s non-judgmental, non-condemning, always patient and always loving.

    Trust God in your journeys with Him, the short ones and the long ones, because He knows the beginning and the end, and He knows exactly where He needs you in His Kingdom. Judy & I knew our destination was Florida, but we didn’t know all the roads and towns in between. As Christians, we know our destination is Heaven, but we don’t know everything in between. We don’t need to know, because we have our GPS, the Holy Spirit, to guide us.
 
~Joanie Lawrence-Cain