GPS

Global Positioning System: an accurate worldwide navigational and surveying facility based on the reception of signals from an array of orbiting satellites. Or, more simply, that function on your smartphone that tells you where you are and how to get where you want to go.

I used the GPS function on my phone to navigate a place I needed to go the other day. I was running around to different libraries pulling books for school b/c I couldn't wait for the interlibrary system to bring them to my branch (for some reason it's been really lagging lately. Kinda like me this time of year). I was headed to a neighborhood I'm not familiar with, so I let the GPS tell me where I was and map out where I needed to go. Simple, right?

Nope. I somehow managed to go past my destination even with Siri telling me almost foot by foot where to go.

I immediately realized something (something I remembered hearing Joe tell us once when he taught a Bible study)...Siri didn't yell "You idiot!" (she completely deserves to, considering how Noah has treated her) or "WHAT are you doing?! Aren't you LISTENing to me?" Instead, she just renavigated me, covering all my stupidity with grace.

This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is good for you
and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Oh, that you had listened to my commands!
Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river
and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea." Isaiah 48:17, 18

We get off track sometimes. We know God will teach us and lead us, but we fail to listen. We think we know better. Or, we know we don't know better, but we don't care. Sometimes we just get distracted and miss His voice telling us foot by foot where to go.

God doesn't yell "You idiot!"...although sometimes He does allow consequences. Sometimes He does say "What are you doing? Aren't you listening to Me?"...but He doesn't scream it in anger. It usually comes in a still, small voice. Firm, but full of love.

Then He renavigates us.

If you've gotten off track lately, missed a turn-off, or gone past your destination, let God reposition and redirect you. He'll get you where you need to go.

"But for those who are righteous,
the way is not steep and rough.
You are a God who does what is right,
and you smooth out the path ahead of them." Isaiah 26:7

"Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:21