I love road trips. Exploring new places is a grand adventure. But I always want to know where I'm going and how I'm going to get there. I look at Google maps, check the atlas, and set the GPS to head in the right direction. I don't mind detours.They can lead to fun and unexpected discoveries. I just don't like being lost.
My husband,Vic, and I always take turns driving on long trips.I enjoy both my time behind the wheel and my time in the passenger seat checking out the view. However, I usually relinquish my turn when our travels take us through big cities because I don't like to drive on unfamiliar interstates that go through large metropolitan areas where I haven't driven before.There are just too many potential problems. I don't know a thing about the interchanges or exit ramps.I always have the sneaking suspicion that there is an erratic driver lurking around the next curve just moments away from randomly deciding to cross six lanes of traffic and crash into me. I know this is distorted thinking; but hey, that's me.
So a while back, I had an interesting dilemma. I had been looking for a good deal on a Prius. I popped in at Toyota dealerships everywhere we went. While we were roaming around east Tennessee, I found the perfect car at a great price. It was a gorgeous snazzy red with soft charcoal gray interior. I loved it!
But then it hit me. We don't live in east Tennessee. I think Vic is a brilliant man who can do pretty much anything; but even he could not drive two cars at once. If we bought the car of my dreams, I would have to drive it home. Our route would take us through Knoxville and Chattanooga with incredibly crowded interstate systems that I had never driven on before. I would have to drive in a lot of traffic.There was the possibility I might get lost since I had no idea how to navigate my way home.
I decided taking the risk was worth gaining the prize. We bought the car and planned our strategy. Vic would be the lead car and I would follow him. He had driven that way many times before and knew where he was going. I didn't have a clue. Vic's usual driving style involves zipping along at quite a nice clip and changing lanes every time he gets behind a big truck or slowpoke. But he loves me more than he loves his usual driving routine, so for the hours we were on the road, he kept a smooth steady pace, only changed lanes when absolutely necessary, put on his blinker in plenty of time to alert me to an upcoming move, and guided me all the way home. I didn't have to worry about where we were going. I only had to keep my eyes fixed on my fearless leader.
Our lives are a grand adventure. We may have to go down paths we haven't traveled before. There are often side trips and detours we don't anticipate.Sometimes the way seems dangerous and confusing. But then again, there may be unexpected discoveries around the next bend that add purpose and great joy to our journey. The risk is often worth the prize.
For our spiritual health and well-being, it is important to find and follow our faith GPS. Who are you looking to these days for guidance and leadership? Some people follow politicians and political ideologies. Others choose family, friends, community traditions, denominational viewpoints, or cultural trends as their road map for faith.
These ancient words from the book of Proverbs written in the modern Biblical translation, The Message, give us a clear picture of the wisest choice for our faith GPS.
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track." Proverbs 3:5-7 MSG
As long as we keep our eyes focused on God our Father, follow the example of Jesus, and trust in the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we don't have to worry about getting lost along the way. We can rest assured that we are headed in the right direction. God, who loves us beyond measure, leads us at a steady pace and always guides us safely home.
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed.' Hebrews 12:1-2 MSG
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