Tuesday, November 18, 2008

GPS

When we knew we were moving to Dallas, Tom and I decided to get a global positioning system better known as a GPS. We got it on sale and it was worth what we paid for it. It’s been a handy thing to have. It talks to you. It tells you what time you should arrive and upcoming turns. I’ve named her Roxy. She sounds like a Roxy. Anyway, it took a little getting use to.

There are a plethora of highways around here and for a new comer it can be a little confusing. If you can’t get into the correct lane (because of traffic) then you could miss your exit. The other problem I had was telling the difference of whether Roxy wanted me to get on the service road or highway after making a sharp turn. You know when you get off at an exit you can either go left or right, if you’re not paying attention then you get on the wrong road. The good thing is Roxy will get you back on the right track eventually.

The other thing Roxy does is give you alternate routes if you want to try a different path. Since new roads are added all the time, you can even download updates. When you don’t have an address then you enter cross streets. When you get to where you’re going Roxy says, “You have reached your destination.”

We’ve tried to learn how to get places without it so that we don’t become dependent on Roxy. We are getting there.

What if a GPS was called a God Positioning System? How would that change things? I would be able to program what road my life should to take. I would be able to listen to His voice clearly. If I took a wrong turn, He would be able to tell me how to get home. Wouldn’t it be great to know that in 1.8 miles you have to get off this road and take another? Wouldn’t it be helpful to know that in 2 miles you will be making a right turn? Unlike Roxy, God is fully up to date on all the roads available and those that are not yet built.

I try to listen, but don’t always hear clearly. I sometimes get distracted by other voices. I’m encouraged that God is with me. He loves me and directs my path. He cares enough when I make a wrong turn because I wasn’t listening to get me turned around and back on track. If I ask Him, He will answer. If I seek Him, I will find Him. He doesn’t hide from me. He’s right where He’s always been. I’m the one who sometimes go into hiding. I sometimes think I know how to get to there and I don’t even ask Him. Sometimes I want to take an alternate route. I’m usually wrong when I take my own path. It’s seems it usually best to ask Him before I start on my journey which way I should go. It takes less time to get there.

Wouldn’t it be sweet to hear God say, “You have reached your destination.”

© Nadine Zawacki 2008

23 comments:

Susan said...

We don't have a "Roxy" GPS system but I probably certainly would get one if we moved to a totally new area. What a blessing for your guys I'm sure.

I do have my God Positioning System and so thankful for it. Where or where would we go without God leading and guiding us. Especially in the age we are now facing.

Great, great post and insight, Nadine!!!!
Susan

Amydeanne said...

interesting post Nadine! An encouragement for my day!

Brenda said...

And in my case, He would say...Whew! You FINALLY made your destination!
That was a great analogy.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. God is such a wonderful healer.
Brenda :)

Anonymous said...

ok girl ... is there a Christian magazine that you can submit your articles to? This one and the garden series are sooooo good. Totally worthy of print!

Lala's world said...

Great post! I long to hear those words!

Damselfly said...

You know, it's funny but I have heard someone else use the term God Positioning System. He was referring to a time when he was returning from a trip and "just happened" to be a few miles from the site of a very bad car crash his stepdaughter was in. It was weird because they were both hours from home. She had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital, and he was able to be there with her almost immediately.

j said...

Oh EXCELLENT point. I could use the God positioning system.

And ours is named Lola!

Anonymous said...

It will be sweet to hear Him tell us someday, "Well done. Welcome home."

My GPS gets kind of snotty with me! She will say "recalculating" several times and then just gets aggravated and tells me "Make a U-turn!" My husband was playing in the settings area and made it so she speaks in a British accent! It is really frustrating when the British accent in insistently demanding that you make a U-turn! I got so annoyed with her one day that I got into the settings menu and set her to speak Chinese instead! That was at least entertaining!

Dawn said...

Great, great analogy!

I am going to be posting about a path the GPS took us on during our recent vacation. Interesting!

I love the thought of God saying, "You have arrived at your desgination."

Diane Viere said...

Roxy! That's perfect.

And how I love your analogy and reframing GPS: God Positioning System.

Great post my friend!!!

Jen(n) said...

Hey I love the sidebar advertisement for you book... way cool!!!

nice turn with the GPS outlook on God.

Dianna said...

It's so good to keep caught up with you and Tom!
I would LOVE to hear God say 'this way! You can do it!'
I am listening hard.
Love you guys,
Di

Scarlet said...

I think I'd be nervous if God told me, "You have reached your destination." I'd be like, "it's over...this is it??" :)

But yes, how sweet it would be to hear His voice loud and clear and not have to wonder which way is up.

I used to have His voice in my heart once upon a time, long ago. I miss it.

Great post!

Shionge said...

I love GPS and without this I'll get lost in good old America :D

Art said...

GPS is one of those things I didn't think would be all that great until I we got one. Now, I love it. And I love the post too! Good work...

Kellan said...

We often use our GPS too and love it. I need to have a name for mine - love that you named yours Roxy!

Take care - Kellan

Strider said...

I guess the walk of faith doesn't fit will with a GPS!!! On another note, I was traveling Florida once on business and my rental car had a GPS system...man, was it great. Have a good weekend.

Dawn said...

I posted about a GPS experience today - not as cerebral or spiritually savvy as yours!

Lynda Meyers said...

Yeah, but it'd be a bummer if you had to hear God say "sorry, I know this road sucks but you've got 6,000 miles to go before you can turn again"...

That must be one of the reasons we don't get to see the future!~

Haha.

Love,
Madison

elizabeth embracing life said...

Nadine, I have to say that you are a very gifted writer. You hit this right square on the head and I am so blessed by this. Really, one of the best blogs I have ever read. If I was giving out awards, you know how awards travel around blogs, I would give you one right now.

To bring clarity as we keep our hearts tuned into our GPS. Wow!!!

EM said...

God never ceases to amazing me. Thanks for sharing you insights and thoughts! Miss you tons, love you lots, and thanks!

a woman who is said...

Sounds like you are doing a lot of exploring. How fun that must be.

Toby Parsons said...

I love this post Nadine! God Positioning System. Yes.

I'm wishing you and Tom a very blessed Thanksgiving in your new home!