Those words are like sandpaper to my nerves! There is nothing that frustrates me more than having to rely on a computer with a phony accent to get me somewhere, and then not understanding where that contraption is trying to make me turn. You see I am very blessed with what I like to call an “Internal compass”. I have a gift. I’m never lost. I can find my way around cities I’ve never driven through before, giant shopping malls, winding hotel hallways, and even map-less amusement parks. But, despite my gift, there have been occasions, mostly for time’s sake, where I have turned to the woman in the box on my dash to get me from point A to point B.

She is the GPS. It is her job to know every twist and turn, every short cut, and speed trap. Her job is to direct me, turn by turn, so I arrive at the correct destination in the timeliest manner. She’s the leader and I’m supposed to follow her. If I trust her and listen to her commands I will end up exactly where I am supposed to be. 

See, I have no issue with that most of the time. When I trust that the leader knows more than I do and I have something to learn, I can be a great follower. But,there are those times when doubt creeps in, and I start to think I know more than the GPS. I question every turn she tells me to take. I get frustrated when I think she’s taking me the “long way” around the city. Then that frustration builds up and I stop listening to her or I turn her off completely and try to do it on my own. Now, don’t forget I have a gift. I inevitably make it to my destination. But I probably arrived much later and burned a lot more gas than I would have if I had just listened and done what the GPS told me to.

Take electronics out of this equation, and add in God. It’s the same story. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on life and the plan He’s laid out for me. So instead of listening and following his turn-by-turn directions I get to the point where I think I know a short cut that He doesn’t see. I end up tuning him out and going about it the way I want to. I might eventually end up where He had planned all along, but I probably arrived a lot later than I would have if I had continued to follow his direction.

 So what’s my point? Basically this. Follow the leader. He can see every twist and turn, He knows every short cut, and He even knows where all of the best rest stops are along the way. When you start to think that you know better, or think you can do it alone, stop. Turn the volume up on your time with God. Follow the directions He gives you. I promise you will end up exactly where you are supposed to be, right on time.