I don’t know who invented the GPS, but I think it’s just about the most brilliant piece of equipment ever! On the pamphlet that came with mine it says, “personal travel assistant.” It’s like have my husband on the phone guiding me each step of the way (that was our pattern in the past!). It gives such clear directions, both spoken and drawn on the screen before me. I know when a turn is coming up, when I need to change lanes on the interstate, where the exits are, and when I’m nearing my destination. It also tells me when I’ve made a wrong turn.
There have been times that I’ve put in my destination, and then along the way have had to make a stop for lunch or a restroom break that wasn’t put into the instructions. My “personal travel assistant” tells me to make a U turn. Of course I ignore it because I need to go another way, just for a little bit. I had every intention of getting back on the the route they’ve mapped out for me – I just need to make a little detour!
This morning as I was reading in Mark 12 I read about the chief priests, scribes and elders coming to Jesus to question Him about what authority He did His miracles. Jesus wisely answers them, then gives a parable that in essence reminds these men that they were not accepting the Savior that God sent into the world to save them from their sin. The scribes were angry and the Scripture says “they wanted to lay hold on him, but they feared the people,” so “they left him, and went their way.” I realize that this is saying that they decided to leave and go away, but in reality they also went their own way. They did not like hearing the Truth that Christ spoke. It pricked their hearts and rather than listen to Him, they ignored the instruction and took a detour. They had NO intention of getting back on the route Christ mapped out for them.
As a Christian, it’s my responsibility to follow the route God has laid out in His Word. It’s not always what I want to do; sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it goes against my flesh. But if I’m to get to the desired end (Christlikeness) I must stay on the path. As a pastor’s wife I’ve had many opportunities to speak with women that are going through a trial and have come to me for counsel. Sometimes this dear lady will follow the counsel from the Scriptures, and what a joy that is! Other times I’ve seen a lady hear the Truth, but ignore it. She wants to go her own way. She’s going to take a detour because she doesn’t like the instructions she heard. Spite the fact that she needs to make a major U turn she keeps going the direction she’s mapped out instead of the one her Personal travel assistant (the Holy Spirit) has given her.
If we’re to get to our destination of being like Christ we must listen and stay on the path! We may not like the scenery along the way, but we can trust God. He knows how to guide us better than we can guide ourselves! Let’s not ignore his directions.
RefreshHer 