My husband and I first met “Neva” (Hertz NeverLost) in a rental car. The device was complimentary. She was our GPS (Going Places Sanely); we would soon be her most ardent fans. Totally unfamiliar with her “kind”, there were a few discombobulating moments of screen-tapping at the beginning before Neva was up and running. She must have made good money as a GPS, for she had an assistant who read street names to us in a condescending, saccharine voice (this must have been an overtime trip for her-- the woman clearly needed a break).
We knew about GPS devices but… Traveling without a map was a strange feeling, heady but tentative. Could we trust Neva? Did she really know the way? Yet we continued to listen in awe as she told us where to go and what to do. We even quit looking at signs. Our conversation was hushed lest we miss an important edict:
“Approaching freeway exit on the right in two…point…zero…miles.”
“Take the next freeway exit on the right in…point…four…miles.”
“Freeway exit on the right, followed by a…keep…right.”
She even played “ding dong” at the exact moment we were to turn. To continue on, we heard ”ding ding”.
Then it happened. Two freeway entrances loomed, a few feet from each other; which one to take? Without waiting for the reassuring “ding dong”, we careened onto the first one, and immediately heard,
“Take the next freeway exit on the right in…point…2…miles.” While Neva barked orders to get us back on track, we meekly obeyed, dizziness replacing headiness. We finally realized our mistake: we had taken the exit that sent us east instead of west. A quick sign-reading session would have solved that problem, Neva or not.
Why is it that, in our quest to find guidance in our lives, we are so easily diverted from our spiritual “Road Map”? Even with a God Who promises to guide us in all truth and wisdom, we can find ourselves enticed by a smooth presentation or an impressive website or brochure. We feel pulled to trust our health, finances, or retirement to these distractions. We may even base our choice of a church on “Wow—check out this program” rather than on how they present the Word.
Sometimes we are diverted by fear or uncertainty, especially if we’re navigating alone. A major decision looms ahead; now what do we do? We’re not sure who to ask for help or even what questions to ask, and we sure don’t want to be a bother to anyone.
When the voices of this world become too confusing, it’s time to pull over to the side of the road, listen to the Lord’s voice in His Word, find a trustworthy counselor, and use the common sense that He has allotted us (scant though it may be!). He does not delight in seeing us fearfully floundering on our life’s course. He wants us to find joy in the way that He has set before us. What great assurance to know that He is our Guide forever, and that we will follow His illumined path all the way to the end.
Prov. 4:18
