The One to Trust

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Several years ago we traveled to Boston and then to New York.  When my friend at work, Tammye, learned we were going to New York, her favorite city, she insisted we use her GPS. I told her, “No, we won’t need that, we have an atlas and maps!”  Being a geek, I love reading and using maps (I even love folding maps) and I have always loved being the “navigator” on the road trips.

Tammye chuckled and said, “If you are going to drive in New York, you’ll need the GPS.”  

 We took the electronic device, which was surprising simple to use considering the complex technology it utilizes.  The British sounding voice from the little box told us each turn to make along our way as the screen depicted our little red car on the map moving along as we traveled.

As it turned out, it was my turn to drive when we reached New York City on our way to Boston.  I gripped the wheel tighter and kept my eye almost as much on “Daphne”, the nickname we gave to the voice on the GPS, as on the road ahead.  I didn’t think about where to go, I only turned where she told me to turn and went straight where she told me to go straight.  When we finally passed out of the city, I almost had to pry my fingers off the steering wheel.  The GPS had proven itself to be an invaluable tool.

Earlier this month, my boss resigned.  As her assistant, many in our department have felt it would be the logical choice for me to step into her position.  My friend Tammye especially has been pressuring me to take the position.  I told her, as I told others, I did not desire the position, but I would pray to seek the Lord’s will for my life in this matter.

At one point Tammye told me, teasingly I think, “God told me today that He wants you to take this job.”  

I laughed at her and responded, “Well, He didn’t tell me that.  If He does, I’ll let you know.”  I did however reiterate my promise to continue praying about the matter.  Tammye was relentless, every time I saw her, trying to convince me.

I knew the main thing in the decision was not what I wanted, or what Glen wanted, or even what Tammye wanted.  It was what the Lord wanted.  That was the piece of information I wanted to know.  I wanted His path to be plain to me.  One afternoon it became so.

I had worked the night before, and has had been for several days, with the thoughts of the unit weighing heavily on my mind, I had not slept well.   I woke with a remembrance of our trip to New York.  As I was driving, we entered a tunnel and shortly after entering the tunnel, our GPS lost it’s signal.   

Suddenly there was no “Daphne” to tell me what to do.  I wasn’t too concerned at that point though, because how much can there be to do in a tunnel?  Now driving in the tunnels in New York is not like driving in the tunnel here at home.  The people there drive 100 mph when they are taking a Sunday cruise and the lanes are narrow.  Suddenly, the lanes diverged.  I didn’t know which way to go. . .our GPS screen was still grey.  Slowing down was NOT an option; I had to respond and do so quickly.  I decided it didn’t make sense for us to change lanes at that point; I should just stay on the course I was on – not move to the right or the left.  

 It turned out to be the perfect decision.  Soon our GPS reconnected with the satellite showing we were on the proper course for Boston.

Immediately upon remembering this incident, I knew the Lord was making His way plain before my face and using a memory of Tammye’s GPS to do so.  I was to stay my course, not to make a change to the right or to the left until He told me otherwise.   When I shared the story with Tammye, she agreed, although perhaps relunctantly.

We face so many times in our lives when we don’t exactly know what to do.  The answer isn’t clearly spelled out in Scriptures and we just aren’t sure what step the Lord would have us to make.  

 If our heart’s desire is to follow Him and His will, then He will make that way clear for us.  Instead of a GPS – global positioning system, we can trust we will have GPS – God positioning system.  He will show us His path, strengthen and enable us to walk in it by faith and then walk with us every step of the way.  His batteries never fail, His maps never need to be updated, His way and knowledge are perfect.

“Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, 

because of mine enemies.”

Psalm 27:11

I“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, 

This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, 

and when ye turn to the left.” 

 Isaiah 30:21