Navigating Our Journey
Dear Friends,
We have recently been on holiday and I am so glad we have a satnav.
In the past, reading a map, checking for directions, following signs, always made the journey harder for me, and not great for Jason as I am prone to fall asleep if we are in the car for any length of time.
The satnav has definitely made life easier and holidays less stressful as we rely on it to safely navigate us to our destination and as we travel around unfamiliar places during our holiday.
It works best when we trust it, listen and follow its direction. The whole journey is stored in its system and then a voice tells us every so often the next direction to take, such as "Take the second exit on the roundabout" or "At the next junction, turn left". It tells us just enough that we can keep in mind what we need to do, rather than giving too many instructions in one go.
However, sometimes Jason (who is driving) will choose not to listen and follow the instruction. He decides he's going to do something other than what he is told. He does this because he thinks he knows best, or because he doesn't like the route its taking us on, or because he'd rather go a way that is more familiar to him.
But how often are we like this on our journey called Life?
We have God and his word as our trustworthy guide. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 (NLT) God knows our destination and the route set out for me and you. He gives us direction if we will just take the time to listen and obey. "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)
The psalmist prays to God "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil." Psalm 119:133 (NLT) and I also like how the Message paraphrases Psalm 119:33-37 "God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way." I think this is a great prayer to pray on our journey of life.
The story of Abraham found in Genesis tells us that although he did not know the direction of his journey, he knew that God did and he trusted God to show him the direction to take so that he would reach his destination. He followed each instruction as God gave it, taking one step of faith at a time. "The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you." Genesis 12:1 (NLT)
When Abraham chose not to listen, preferring to go his own way, he soon discovered the route that he chose was the wrong one for him and led him into trouble. But God stayed with him so that when Abraham listened to God once more he was able to get back on track. For an example of this read Genesis 12:10-13:4.
Sometimes we prefer not to listen to God's leading - we think we know what's best for us, we don't like to surrender our control over our destination, we don't like the way he's taking us, or we prefer to go a way that's familiar to us rather than go down the unknown route and trust God fully.
When we get it wrong, when we go in the wrong direction, opposite to the way God has mapped out for us, he is gracious, he is always there for us, waiting for us to return to him so that we can once more journey forward with him.
Whereas a satnav can make mistakes (ever found yourself at a dead end when following its instructions?!) and needs to be continually updated, God is never wrong in the direction, guidance and instructions he gives us, and he never needs updating. He and his word are always up to date, timely and relevant.
To Think About:
Who or what have you placed your trust in for direction and guidance on your journey of life? How successful has it been to place your trust in these people or these things?
What stops you from trusting God's direction? What helps you to trust him?
What difference does it make in your life when you do trust in him and his word for direction and guidance?
Vicki
We have recently been on holiday and I am so glad we have a satnav.
In the past, reading a map, checking for directions, following signs, always made the journey harder for me, and not great for Jason as I am prone to fall asleep if we are in the car for any length of time.
The satnav has definitely made life easier and holidays less stressful as we rely on it to safely navigate us to our destination and as we travel around unfamiliar places during our holiday.
It works best when we trust it, listen and follow its direction. The whole journey is stored in its system and then a voice tells us every so often the next direction to take, such as "Take the second exit on the roundabout" or "At the next junction, turn left". It tells us just enough that we can keep in mind what we need to do, rather than giving too many instructions in one go.
However, sometimes Jason (who is driving) will choose not to listen and follow the instruction. He decides he's going to do something other than what he is told. He does this because he thinks he knows best, or because he doesn't like the route its taking us on, or because he'd rather go a way that is more familiar to him.
But how often are we like this on our journey called Life?
We have God and his word as our trustworthy guide. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 (NLT) God knows our destination and the route set out for me and you. He gives us direction if we will just take the time to listen and obey. "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)
The psalmist prays to God "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil." Psalm 119:133 (NLT) and I also like how the Message paraphrases Psalm 119:33-37 "God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way." I think this is a great prayer to pray on our journey of life.
The story of Abraham found in Genesis tells us that although he did not know the direction of his journey, he knew that God did and he trusted God to show him the direction to take so that he would reach his destination. He followed each instruction as God gave it, taking one step of faith at a time. "The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you." Genesis 12:1 (NLT)
When Abraham chose not to listen, preferring to go his own way, he soon discovered the route that he chose was the wrong one for him and led him into trouble. But God stayed with him so that when Abraham listened to God once more he was able to get back on track. For an example of this read Genesis 12:10-13:4.
Sometimes we prefer not to listen to God's leading - we think we know what's best for us, we don't like to surrender our control over our destination, we don't like the way he's taking us, or we prefer to go a way that's familiar to us rather than go down the unknown route and trust God fully.
When we get it wrong, when we go in the wrong direction, opposite to the way God has mapped out for us, he is gracious, he is always there for us, waiting for us to return to him so that we can once more journey forward with him.
Whereas a satnav can make mistakes (ever found yourself at a dead end when following its instructions?!) and needs to be continually updated, God is never wrong in the direction, guidance and instructions he gives us, and he never needs updating. He and his word are always up to date, timely and relevant.
To Think About:
Who or what have you placed your trust in for direction and guidance on your journey of life? How successful has it been to place your trust in these people or these things?
What stops you from trusting God's direction? What helps you to trust him?
What difference does it make in your life when you do trust in him and his word for direction and guidance?
Vicki
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