This past weekend I drove my mom to Indiana for my nephew’s wedding. We took my dad’s Garmin and for the drive up it was great. Took us right to my older brother’s house with easy to understand directions. However, when we left to return home, I selected the “Go To Home” option assuming my parents address was programmed in. I am still not sure where it wanted to take us but in Louisville, KY it began directing us east, not south. So I pulled over to consult an Atlas I had in the car, trying to get an overview of the route, thinking maybe it was aware of another route I was not familiar with. I told my mom I was more comfortable with reviewing the entire route first and then it was easier to trust the GPS when it just gave me one step at a time.
Hmmm – that thought sounds familiar. I have also said I would be more comfortable if God would reveal the destination, or give me an overview of the route. Then it would be more comfortable to take the directions He only reveals one step at a time. Because I would have a general idea of the outcome. It has been downright scary at times standing still, waiting for the next step to be revealed. Or take the next step when it is revealed and doesn’t make sense. Just like when the GPS directs you off the road you thought you should take and puts you on a route that you do not understand.
Proverbs 16:9 tells us “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” And Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way.”
As I was thinking about this analogy, and how comforting it would be if God would reveal the end goal, I realized He already has. His goal is for us to become more like Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:18 states “we are being transformed into his image”. He directs our path so that our encounters and experiences will give us opportunities to develop into the character of Jesus. The NIV translation of Psalm 37:23-24 is “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
I will strive to firmly place my step along the path God directs me, even if it is just one step at a time and the entire path, or even the next several steps, are not revealed. I will strive to trust that my GPS (God Positioned Steps) is directing me on a path that will result in making me more Christ like.
Rainbows and Otter Pelt 