Girlfriends in God - Feb. 19, 2010
February 19, 2010
GPS
Connie Kovach
We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend",
Connie Kovach.
Today's Truth
Psalm 139:2-7 (NLT) "You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!"
Friend To Friend
My family and I just returned from our first vacation in nine years. My husband, our four children, and I left Ohio and began our journey to Myrtle Beach, SC. After a few days, we then headed to North Carolina to meet some old friends. We really enjoyed our trip, aside from the hundreds of stops, and kids fighting in the car … good times. About a week before we left, we prepared for the trip by packing and planning and borrowing a GPS system from my sister and brother-in-law. I have used one before but never really thought about how amazing they are.
A GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver. In other words, the GPS receives signals from satellites that let the GPS know where they are and where they need to go, to get to where they need to be.
Ok, now that I have that figured out, on with my story. Usually, when we take a trip, we plan our route by using an atlas. My job is to intently watch the map and pinpoint the signs on the side of the road to make sure we are heading the correct way. However, this trip was different.
Before we left, we put the hotel information in the GPS and did what the voice told us to do. At first, we enjoyed just listening to the voice, almost entertained by this little box telling us to turn left off of our street. It did not take long, however, before we were amazed by the accuracy of this tool. The directions are so intricately given; it lets you know the amount of feet left until it is time to turn. It is so sensitive, that it will let you know the speed limit change at the same time you pass the sign on the side of the road. The voice is so consistent, it never sounds angry or irritated, no matter how many gas stops or potty breaks we took. It just simply said "recalculating" and went on with how to get us back on track. There were times, however, that we got quite irritated with that sweet voice when we just wanted to "be there!"
We left Myrtle Beach after a few days and headed to Concord, North Carolina, a city near Charlotte. We put the address in the GPS and let it do its thing. As we got closer, we passed an exit that read the exact city that we were heading toward, on the exact highway that should have taken us directly there. I didn't understand why the GPS didn't have us turn. I opened the map and looked at the route we were taking. I was sure the GPS had finally messed up; it was taking us clear into Charlotte. Not only did we pass the exit to our city, we were going in the wrong direction. After about twenty minutes of intently watching this system fail us, and adding how much time we are losing with our friends, the road turned and got us right to our hotel, and yes, in the exact time it said we would be there.
What I learned from the GPS is that there is no point in having it if you don't trust it. I experienced frustration that I did not need to experience. As I laughed at myself and my lack of faith in this system that is so intricately designed, I felt God so clearly asking me why I do the same thing to Him. You see, if we have faith, then why do we constantly question when will this happen or why didn't this go the way I thought it would? Why do we question the route in which God takes us where He wants to take us? Sometimes we have everything figured out ahead of time, like we are making His job easier, right? Did you ever look back at a trail of events in your life that lead to something amazing? I'm sure it did not always go the easiest way or the way we thought would be easiest.
Like on our way to Concord NC, the satellite had its reasons for taking us I85 instead of the highway intended for the city of Concord. Maybe there was construction or an exit closed. Maybe if we had gone that way, and that sweet voice just said "recalculating", the ride would have taken twice as long. Just because we think one way is best, doesn't mean it's the way God wants us to go.
The GPS gets its signals from the satellites in space, as our Holy Spirit get's its coordinates from God the Father. Once He fills us with the Holy Spirit, it's up to us to listen to that sweet voice or to do our own thing, only to hear "recalculating." I want to listen to that first voice so that I get where He wants me to get, when He wants me to get there. Faith is such a huge part of the Christian walk, yet it's the hardest part. It is a big decision to make, yet the best one you will ever choose. May God bless you on all your travels.
Let's Pray
Lord, thank You for that GPS you have given us called the Holy Spirit. Thank You for guiding us through life. The longer I bow down to disobedience, the longer I wait for Your will for my life. Lord, I pray that I will recognize that still small voice the first time so I never have to hear "recalculating" from You. I love You so much Lord, and I thank You for Your unfailing love.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Are you relying on God for directions and guidance? Name a situation where you are struggling to trust in God's plan. Get quiet with the Lord and tell Him you are sorry for not trusting His plans and timing. Relinquish that situation to Him and enjoy the freedom of not carrying that burden anymore. Read Isaiah 40:12-14 NLT, write it on a note card and read it each day.
More From The Girlfriends
Praise God that He will recalculate when we are not obedient and make a wrong turn. Like having an internal GPS, we cannot escape His spirit; we cannot get away from His presence. So why do we constantly try or let the enemy trick us into thinking we know best? The biggest form of freedom is when we can say we are God's and He has it all figured out already. Whew, what a relief!
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