Lost? Use GPS

Directionality impaired. That’s me. North, South, East, West? You might as well be speaking a foreign language.  To be honest, I don’t even automatically know my left from my right hand without touching my rings to really be sure. So, as you might guess when I get lost. I. Get. Lost! GPS is a lifesaver you say? I thought so too until…..

An invitation came for me to attend the culminating ceremony of the National Poetry Box Project that I’d put a lot of time, energy, and love into for the students at my school. Oh, how I wanted to go! But there was one problem; the event was taking place in the middle of downtown Columbus, Ohio. That would mean navigating five lanes of interstate traffic, finding exits, and making my way through a maze of city streets. Me! A country driver with no sense of direction. Enter the GPS.

With apprehension, I decided to take part in the project celebration. So, with my GPS programmed, I set out on the journey. And guess what? With its help, I arrived at the right place, on time, and had a wonderful afternoon with the other poetry loving educators. Trouble ensued however, when I attempted to find my way back home.  Turn here, merge there, then as I sat at a stop sign shadowed by tall buildings all around, the voice that was leading me on my way, the one I’d been following, directed me to turn the WRONG direction on a ONE WAY street and I didn’t know WHERE it was going!

Sometimes, I feel the same on my Christian journey: knowing the direction I want to go, but not sure of the way! Maybe you know what I mean. Whether we’re navigating life in the fast lane, trying to decide when to stay and when to get off the road we’re on, or making our way through the maze of distractions that often lead us the wrong way; we can lose our sense of direction. We. Feel. Lost.  Enter GPS. This one a TRUE Lifesaver!

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 (NLT)

Remember the old church sign that said, “Lost? Use GPS: God’s Positioning System”? That’s exactly what we need to do! When we stop trying to find our own route and instead remember to get our directions from God, His guidance along the way will help us reach our destination!  But, because there are those of us who are directionality impaired (me!), we’re still likely to run into roadblocks, encounter detours, and take wrong turns. We may even find ourselves at a “spiritual stop sign” wondering which way to go?

“And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:4-6 (NLT) emphasis mine

Back in Columbus I did the only thing I knew to do: followed the one way sign. Making that turn, I was filled with relief as the GPS began recalculating to put me back on the road toward home.  The same is true for us as Christians. When we follow the One Way, despite getting off course now and then, He takes us where we are and reroutes us to where we need to be. Left or Right? North, South, East, or West? It doesn’t matter. Because with God’s direction we can travel this life with assurance, knowing He’ll guide us all the way Home!

Joining in with the Five Minute Friday Community for the first prompt of 2020: “Direction”. I encourage you to direct yourself over to http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to read the inspiring words of other members.