Lately I have had to drive new places. For the record, I like the familiar roads much more. There is something about passing and seeing that which I know and have been to before which brings me a sense of security.
Driving into Boston with traffic and construction, well, it’s a formula for white knuckles.
The first trip in, we set my GPS and although I still had to drive through the traffic and construction, I got there. I listened to her little voice instructing me and guiding me through each twist and turn. There was nothing as wonderful as hearing her say, “Your destination is on the right.”
So when a week later, we had to come back into Boston, my anxiety level was slightly lowered as I thought for sure at least it would now be somewhat easier. To my surprise, her little voice guided me to get off at an entirely different exit. As I looked around, nothing at all was familiar nor had ever been seen by me before.
Who knew GPS had a mind all its own?
I called my husband, who works for the car manufacturer, to question about my GPS. He calmly hopped on a computer to investigate exactly where I was and where I was headed and assured me I was headed in the right direction. The mere sound of his voice, assuring me, set my confidence and peace back into place.
And here is what this all taught me ….
To be going when you have no idea where you are going is hard. I’m now convinced I would not have made Abraham a very good travel companion. How he went, not knowing where he was going – no GPS, no map, nothing – well let’s just say, he now has my full admiration.
Moses? Seriously, I probably would have been the loudest grumbler in the pack. Follow the cloud by day and the fire by night? What? And expect to get to the promised land safe and sound? This has suddenly become even more remarkable to me than ever before.
We seem to forget – they were people, humans, the same as us. No different. And yet, somehow, they did it. Then today I read this:
I think one of the biggest mistakes Christians make while reading the Bible is forgetting that none of the characters, except Jesus, knew how things were going to end. They didn’t know their story would turn out so awesome.
(from Let’s All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs, page 112)
Much the way my mind ran away with me during the ride into Boston, their minds could have run away with them as well. But they chose to believe what God had said to them instead of listening to their fears. They bravely continued on. They listened only to the voice of God and followed Him even though they did not know where He would take them.
“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go.” whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21, NLT)
My GPS did not fail me for any of our rides into Boston. It may have taken me on different routes or unfamiliar streets but I was never lost. Granted, neither did I know where I was going, but I arrived.
I’m beginning to learn God leads me much the same way.
Unfamiliar but never lost.
And I arrive.
Today I am joining with …. Testimony Tues. and Teaching What is Good and Unite and Titus 2 Tues. and True Story .
Love this! I have been known to doubt the GPS and then go off to go my own way! This was not successful just so you know! 🙂 I love your real life connections! Have a blessed day!
LOL, Mary, I’m too chicken to go off my own way! That’s another post waiting to be written about my Chicken Little Self 🙂 I’m thankful you like my real life connections as sometimes I wonder about the way I am wired. So glad you stopped & share as you are such a blessing!
Loved this comparison. I think I would have been one of those complainers too. I’ve not listened to GPS and well I got lost and had to call them back and later I quit listening again and of course On Start went nuts for the next two hours.
I would love to have On Star! Just the thought of a live person talking me through is a comfort. Oh wait, I had my own On Star in my husband 🙂 May we just make it easier on ourselves & trust our God to get us there every time. So glad you stopped here!
We often walk (and drive) on unfamiliar paths. We do not know the end – only our final destination. Thank you for sharing your awesome post with us here at “Tell Me a Story.†http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Hazel, you are right. It’s true – much of our life truly is on unfamiliar paths. Grateful this morning as your comment made me realize that I am grateful to be familiar with the One Who goes before me. Have a blessed Sunday!
This was an excellent story, Joanne. I thoroughly enjoyed your drive into Boston and the lesson God taught you.
Thank you, Janis. I get to repeat this ride in a week 🙂
Joanne, I thoroughly enjoyed your drives into Boston and the lesson God taught you! Thank you for the fun ride!
GPS can work well, and it can toss us into a total mess. Have to concentrate, even though it seems OK. I’ve used it around and about our western portion of the nation…and our central portion..and sometimes it gets confused. Trusting the Lord is all we can do, and knowing an angel is tapping us on the head and telling us to redo. Anyhow, this was good. If I was driving into Boston [or New York or a few others that are buried with people and old cities] I’d be on alert consistently. Chicago and St. Louis have been a challenge for me, and partly b/c the GPS does not know that the roads are being repaired and closed. DUH!! That’s a challenge, too. Went through that in E. St. Louis last year. Very difficult. Now I’ll shut up and go away, and bless you for sharing so straightforwardly.
Joanne, your comment made me smile this morning as you fully have experienced the wonder of a ride with GPS. So glad you stopped here! I get to repeat the ride in a week & see what happens then 🙂
I loved this so much, Jo. Thank you for sharing your life experiences and how God connects them to you. I jumped into your GPS experience and saw God’s hand directing and applies to me. My son passed into heaven in October 2011. This Christmas has been especially difficult and God is ministering to my heart and this blog of yours just added another sparkle of His love to me.
Mare, I cannot imagine the loss of a son and I know that Jason’s passing impacted you deeply. Praying our Lord brings you His comfort & peace & strength during those times when you miss him most. May I recommend “Letters to Grief” by Kate Motaung to you? Her writing is beautiful & brings comfort as she writes about how grief can come flooding in even years later. Check it out on Amazon. It is a short but beautiful read!