Traffic Wisdom
Today I was travelling from Visalia to Porterville for work. Google maps told me take Hwy 198 to Ave 204. I turned maps off because my phone battery was getting low and I knew how far it was until it told me to turn. When I got to Hwy 65, about a mile before Ave. 204, the road sign said turn right to go to Porterville. Naturally, I turned right since I had turned off my GPS and knew 65 would get me there. Within a mile there were signs for road work and a flagger ahead. I turned back on my GPS to see if I could get out of the upcoming mess, and it directed me back to Ave 204, on an alternate route. I heeded the advice of Google and was directed to turn left, just before the flagger and several stopped cars. Google directed me around the road work without taking me out the way, and directed me back onto Hwy 65, where it curved around and intercepted Ave 204.
This got me to thinking, and I realized 2 things. First, if I had my phone charged, I would not have turned off the GPS and would have stayed on the better route for the entire time. Second, even though I knew Hwy 65 would get me to my destination, I couldn’t see the road work until it was almost too late. Google was aware of it because it monitors all the roads all the time.
I think this is how the Christian walk is…if we don’t stay plugged in to God’s word, seek His guidance, and let Him change our life, we turn Him off and blindlessly follow the signs of the world. The world tells us the easy and obvious ways to get to our destinations, but rarely warns us of the pitfalls and obstacles along the way. The world might let us know there is road work ahead, but only after it’s too late to turn back, and doesn’t offer alternate routes to steer us clear of it. When we rely on God to lead us, we are putting our trust in a source that can see all the paths…not just our extremely limited view of our circumstances. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” And Psalm 119:105 tells us “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” He will lead us out of trouble before we get there, even if it seems like He is sometimes sending us out of the way. If we are stubborn and don’t heed His advice, He will still give us chances, time and again, to get to the better path.
If I had stayed on Hwy 65 I would have still gotten to my destination, but I would have had to sit longer in traffic (likely with an extremely poor attitude because I have no patience in traffic), used more gas (from idling in stopped traffic) and been delayed. Even if we still refuse to follow His advice, He will still walk with us through the messes we get ourselves into, but it will almost always take longer and cause unnecessary frustration. Also, it is very possible that we will miss out on some of the blessings He had planned for us on the path He had prepared for us.
I encourage you to stay charged and don’t ever turn off your GPS…God’s Positioning System!!!
Another piece of traffic wisdom God showed me today…as I was travelling down Hwy 65 (after the road work) several cars sped past me. (I was going a little over the speed limit myself.) Each time I reached a red light I caught up to the cars that had passed me (and the cars I passed caught up to me.) I think that’s what happens when we get caught up in our busyness. We speed around frantically only to get to a point where we get stuck and lose all the ground we tried to gain by multi-tasking and over scheduling. When we travel at a more realistic pace, not only can we take the time to enjoy the scenery around us, but we also have a more constant state of peace…Hoping you are able to slow down and take the time to enjoy all of the blessings and beauty God has created for your enjoyment as you travel through this day, week, month, year, and beyond!
Dear Lord, please open my eyes and my heart so that I can see what You want me to do and who You want me to become. Please give me the courage to step out in faith to follow Your will. Please help me to be still and to wait on Your perfect timing. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for Your direction. Amen.
Bible Verses for reflection:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
