John 10:3-5

More than likely, most of you have experienced getting to and fro these days by means of a navigation system.  Whether you opted for this fine option on the car you recently purchased or invested in a portable version, these systems are quite handy to own.  Often, we find names for the voices behind the turn-by-turn instructions and she/he becomes a lifesaver for those of us who are directionally challenged.

I am happy to report that I have been gifted with a great sense of direction and cannot measure the number of miles I have traveled in my forty-two years!  However, as I navigate through unknown territory I am wise enough not to depend on my own sense, but instead to consult the expertise of my Suburban’s built-in navigation system.

Recently, while visiting my daughter in Knoxville, Tennessee, I decided to make a quick run to Walmart.  She was not home at the time, so I keyed “Walmart” into the system and selected my choice of location.  In minutes, I was off and rolling.  The nearest Walmart was six miles…"this will be a breeze", I thought.  The route led me down backwwood, mountainous roads, around a quarry, through neighborhoods, along highways, and around curves.  My thoughts, after several miles into the trip were,

I must have missed it somewhere?

Maybe I should turn around?

Perhaps I got off track?

Suddenly, out of nowhere the Walmart appeared on my left…just as I was questioning the voice that led me…just as I was about to turn around, regroup and head in a different direction…just when I was about to give up!

Instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.  For any of us who decide to follow Jesus and allow Him to set the course for our lives, there will be times along the journey that we find ourselves questioning the guidance we were given.  Sometimes, we step out in a direction and find it to be a place of loneliness and our fleshly nature fights to retreat back to the beloved comfort zone.  Other times, the route can be so difficult and challenging that we begin to question whether or not we truly heard the voice of God?  So many times in our own marriage, we knew we heard God’s voice telling us to go here or there, but when we got there, we were surrounded by trouble, causing us to second-guess our decision to follow.  In every situation, we stayed the course and around the corner and down the loooooooong hill we ended up in GLORY. 

  “You shall hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, Walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21

We have found our Great Shepherd to be the only infallible navigation system for our lives. Not once in our twenty-five years of serving Christ together have we ever been led astray.  Even when it “looked” like we had taken a wrong turn, our obedience proved to be the correct choice on every occasion.  He has been faithful to lead us by the still waters for times of rest and comfort – down long, continuous roads for times of patience and perseverance - along the rocky mountainside for times of trusting – through the low valleys for times of testing – along unknown territories for times of learning – through the thickets for times of pruning – to walk on water for lessons in faith – but all ending atop a summit for times of joy, laughter, victory and reward.

God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go.  He will guide me with His eye. – Psalm 32:8

Just like the navigation system in your vehicle, God is responsible to present the turn-by-turn instructions for your life.  However, YOU are responsible to seek Him and obey the directions you are given.  Although it will not always “look” right at the time, we must continue under the command of the Master Navigator.  Your way may be long and it may be trying, but somewhere up around the corner is your “WALMART” and if you walk by faith and not by sight, you will be shopping there with unlimited funds in no time.

LOVE