Earlier this week, on my way into the office, God used something ordinary to remind me of something much bigger…
I got into my car, entered my destination into the GPS, and headed out. But instead of paying attention to the directions, I followed my usual route. I knew how to get to work. I had driven that way plenty of times. I knew where I was going, or at least I thought I did.
Then I ran into standstill traffic.
As I sat there, I glanced over at my GPS and realized, I had missed the turn.
The GPS had tried to take me another way, but I wasn’t paying attention (and I had turn off the voice navigation). I was so accustomed to doing what I normally did that I missed the direction that could have helped me avoid what was ahead.
Eventually, I took a detour. Although the alternate route looked longer on the map, it turned out to be the shorter trip because the GPS knew something I didn’t. Immediately, I thought about God, and how He knows what we don’t….
How often do we do the same thing in life? What’s familiar? We pray. We ask God to lead us. We tell Him we want His will.
Then we start driving. We follow the route we know, make the decision that seems logical, and rely on our experience, feelings, and understanding.
Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is saying, “Turn here!”
But are we listening?
The GPS could see what I couldn’t. It knew there was traffic ahead and that another route was available. It knew that what looked like a detour could actually save me time. And, I liken that to God, and how He sees even more than us. He knows our end from our beginning.
He sees around corners I cannot see around. He knows what lies ahead. He knows which doors should open and which should remain closed. He knows when I need to move, wait, turn, or keep going. #selah
When I look back over my life, I can see times when I tried to do things my way. I moved too quickly. I made decisions before praying. I allowed my emotions, impatience, and limited understanding to lead me.
Those experiences taught me that knowing a route does not mean it is the route God wants me to take.
Sometimes what is familiar is not what is best. Sometimes God leads us in a direction that does not make sense at first. His guidance may feel like a detour. He may tell us to wait when we want to move or move when we would rather remain comfortable.
Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
Following a GPS requires more than entering a destination; we also have to pay attention to the directions. That thought stayed with me. Life can be noisy. Responsibilities, work, family, social media, our own thoughts, other people’s opinions, fear, worry, and plans can all compete for our attention.
Sometimes so many voices are speaking that we can barely hear the One who matters most. That is why being still/quiet is important to me. I want to be intentional about creating space to hear God, to pray, listen, and be present. I want to prioritize His voice over the noise around me and within me.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27
Notice the last part: they follow Me.
A Word Of Encouragement
Maybe you are in a season when life is not going the way you planned. Maybe God is redirecting you. Maybe the door you expected to open has not opened. Maybe something has slowed you down. Maybe the road ahead looks completely different from the one you mapped out for yourself. Before assuming something has gone wrong, ask God: “Lord, are You redirecting me?”
The longer route on my GPS turned out to be the better route because staying where I was would have kept me sitting in traffic. Sometimes the same is true spiritually. We resist God’s direction because His way looks longer, unfamiliar, or inconvenient. But He knows what lies ahead. What looks like a detour to us may actually be divine direction.
Follow Your Inner GPS
Today, I am reminding myself and encouraging you to get quiet enough to listen.
Open your heart. Pay attention. Be present. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.
When He gives you direction, be willing to follow, even when His route looks different from yours.
I don’t want to keep asking God to guide me and then ignore His directions because I think I already know the way.
I want my prayer to be: Lord, have Your way. Life moves much more smoothly when I stop insisting on my own route and simply follow His….
Come, Jesus, come.
