Brett and I had recently moved to a new state and wanted to easily find our way around.  Acquiring a  GPS seemed like a perfect solution.  We drove to Best Buy, scanned the prices of the GPS’s in stock and quickly narrowed it down to the two that fit our budget and came with all the right bells and whistles.  We asked the sales clerk which GPS was the better option.  She quickly named one, we picked it up, paid for it and walked out of the store with our new “Take Me Where I Want to Go” device. 

Over the past year we have used the GPS numerous times to take us to our destination.  Gone are the days of unfolding and then trying to refold a paper city map all while desperately trying to remain the picture of Christian perfection.  Now I just punch in the address, wait for the satellites and follow the directions.  Though I have to admit there are times I miss the paper map.  The map on the GPS is small and I can’t see a large area which is frustrating if I am going for a long distance or I want to see more clearly  the detour the English accented voice is taking me on.  But, while I do like the larger paper map, it also doesn’t show me everything.  Since the map is bigger it leaves out the smaller details. 

God clearly says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ( You can even picture Him saying it with an English accent if you like.)  I know that, but sometimes I just want to see the bigger picture.  But just like the bigger map, some of the details are still missing.  This is where I need faith to believe that God has the map with everything planned for my life  and as long as I keep following the next direction his voice gives me, just like I follow the GPS even though I can’t see the whole map, I will get to the place He has prepared for me. 

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. It gives us assurance about things we cannot see.  Hebrews 11:1

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.   1 Peter 4:10

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’  John 8:12

Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.  John 12:26

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.  Isaiah 30:21

This is what the LORD says–your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”  Isaiah 48:17