A few days ago, I was on my way to an appointment with my daughter. Even though I knew the way to the destination, I decided to use the GPS to see how much time it would take to get there. Based on the GPS’s calculation, I had little time to spare. It had me getting there one minute before the appointment time. So, I got on the highway, hoping and praying for an uneventful trip as I had no margin for error.
As I drove, I was so caught up in conversation that I stopped paying attention to the GPS. That was until I noticed a slowdown in the traffic. Right about the same time, my daughter alerted me that the GPS was rerouting me to get off the highway. Her observation was given not a moment too soon. Had it been noticed a few seconds later, I would have missed the exit and been stuck in traffic for several minutes, and worst of all, I would have been late for my appointment. It turns out that the detour had been factored into the directions all along. And I got to my appointment with one minute to spare!
As we pursue God’s will for our lives, it is essential to have God’s divine guidance to stay on the right path. I like to call it our GPS – God’s Providential Supervision. We have limitations that affect our judgment because we cannot predict the future, which is beyond our control. Yet, God knows:
⁃ where we are
⁃ where we need to go and,
⁃ how we need to get there
As such, God is actively working and orchestrating to guide us on the right path because of His love for us. And because He knows what is ahead, sometimes, He will take us off the path that we expect to fulfill His will and purpose in our lives. When this happens, it can feel awkward, frustrating, and even scary. However, the good news is that God will never lead us astray.
With this assurance in mind, there are some important responsibilities for us to adhere to:
1. Pay close attention to the direction God provides. Our instincts and desires cannot always be trusted. Remember Isaiah 55:8-9 says, ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
2. Trust the direction God provides. When God leads us in a direction we did not expect, have confidence and faith that God knows the way and that His way is best. God will always require that we have faith in Him. Hebrews 11:6 says, ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’
3. Follow the direction God provides. To do this is to put out faith into action. And this step ultimately keeps us on the right path. David, the Psalmist, determined to do this when he said in Psalm 86:11, ‘Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.’
God’s direction won’t always make sense to us. But be assured that His way will prove to be right. So, remember to rely on your GPS because we all need it!