The traffic on the expressway was light and I was enjoying the book on tape. Suddenly a road sign for a town that was past my destination appeared. I had missed my exit. I had to keep driving until another exit came up. Then I pulled over to a small shopping center to figure out where I was.
My husband has reminded me many times that my i-phone has a map application. So I pulled out my phone and typed in the address of my destination. I had two choices: turn around and back track on the expressway or reduce the mileage by taking county roads. I chose the county roads.
The scenery was nicer than the expressway. The road wound through farm country and trees that made an archway across the two-lane road. I became anxious when the weather changed. Dark clouds rolled across the sky and a sudden down pour obscured my vision.
I had to check the map periodically. I am directionally challenged and can easily turn left when I should turn right or vice versa. So I went along with periodic pauses, pulling over when it was safe to verify my route. I breathed a sigh of relief when I began to recognize the street signs. I was so glad to reach my sister’s house safely.
Isn’t this like the believer’s life? Events in life can take us to a confusing place. We don’t know what is true or how to respond. We feel like God is far away. We need to take out God’s word and spend some time in prayer. We need direction from the Lord. The Psalmist expresses this for us.
Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
To the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp, magnificent God, my God.
Psalm 43: 3-4 The Message
Send out you light and your truth,
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill and your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
And I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.
Psalm 43: 3-4 ESV
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Hi Carol, I love this analogy and how true it is. When life gets tough it’s so easy for me to look at my circumstances and get confused rather than looking to the Lord. Thanks for this timely reminder.
I recently had a very similar experience! You’ve hit the nail on the head – pull out God’s road map when we get lost! Blessings!
Oh my goodness, I’m directionally challenged, too! Lol I need my Map! Always! Nice to meet you. Visiting from Word of God Speak. 🙂
God is always there waiting for us to ask for directions. It’s easy to navigate life alone without consulting Christ, and when I do this, it never turns out smoothly. Loved your analogy Carol and thanks for the reminder to spend quality private time with God.
Walter, thanks for visiting. Have a blessed weekend!