Love does not insist

One of the modern conveniences that I probably take for granted the most is the GPS on my phone. No matter which map app you use, the general purpose is the same: I don’t know where I’m going and the app points the way. I don’t have to know how to read a map. I don’t have to know if there’s a one-way street. I just have to follow the directions.

This works great, until it fails miserably. Maybe it’s happened to you too. You’re trying to get to your destination and time is tight. All of a sudden, there’s construction or an accident and the next thing you know, the voice assistant is telling you: “RE-ROUTING!”

It drives me crazy when my phone GPS is shouting at me. Sometimes, the app can even be the source of the problem, telling you to turn on a street that doesn’t exist, or you arrive at your destination when there’s not a single thing around.

I find that sometimes my faith walk with God is a lot like my interactions with my GPS.

I can’t see the whole picture; God can. I don’t know how things are going to end; He does. I’m limited by what I can see, which is mostly fixed in the present, but can also be influenced by the past and the future. If I’ve perceived God to be faithful in stressful situations in the past, it’s easier to trust Him in the present and know He’s taking care of my future. In a similar way, if I’ve perceived God to be absent, then it’s going to be harder for me to believe He’s there. Sometimes, when I feel God’s not engaged, I’ll try to figure out my own way forward. The problem is never with God, but with my own perception.

I need to be re-routed, every day, back to Him and back to His Word, instead of going my own way.

Sometimes my brain or my heart want to see God one way. I need to be reminded of the Truth: He is a God who speaks. He is not silent. He gives us the Bible and what (or Who!) the Bible calls the Word made flesh: Jesus. The Bible is God-breathed and useful, especially for pointing the way. He reminds us the way will have highs and lows, mountains and valleys. He also reminds us the Way has a time for all things, and we never go it alone.

He knows the destination better than anyone. He is working good on the way there, even though it may not always look clear and good. He is present, and never bails out, when we are off course and re-routing. And when I insist, and insist, and insist, I know He’ll continue to lead, and lead, and lead. I know I may fall off course, but I also know I’ll reach my destination.

Perhaps I should just let Him drive. ;)

Heidi’s reflection:

I like my way…always. I like to remind God what I think would be better, even though my way usually finds us in the middle of a field, overturned, out of gas, air bags deployed, broken and bruised. I have to wonder how often in my life I insist so hard on my own way, I also lead my family and friends into that same field with me, trying to call somebody in to save us from the problems of my own making. I want to let God drive. I want to believe in Who He is as the Way, rather than fighting so hard for my way all the time. It would be better for me and better for my relationships. It’s a lesson I’m learning slowly, but…better late than never.