I’m a Texas girl. Born & raised. I’ve lived in the Dallas area since I was 2 years old and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love my city…I know my city…well, at least I thought I did.
Recently, I’ve ventured out to a few different parts of town where I hadn’t been before. And just today, I tried a different route home from work because of traffic (which is one thing I don’t particularly care for in my city). Each time I got in my car, I had this conversation with myself: “Who needs a GPS? I survived a lot of years without a map app or a smart phone. My friends even tell me I am good with directions. I GOT THIS!”
Well, it turns out, I didn’t have it. In each situation, I found myself “exploring” these new parts of town and eventually asked Google maps for some help. And once I did, I was on my way again…this time in the right direction.
In the Old Testament, there is an unfortunate story about a young man who chose to blaspheme God. When he is brought to Moses, it says: “And they put him in custody, till the will of the Lord should be clear to them.” Leviticus 24:12
So, this is Moses we are talking about. Moses – the same guy who was used to bring on the plagues in Egypt and part the Red Sea. The one who talked to and heard from God on a regular basis. The only person God really wanted to keep around but relented when Moses interceded.
This same guy, Moses, encountered a situation he was unsure about.
Sometimes, I feel like I should be at a place where I always & immediately know what I should do, what I should say, or which direction I should go.
That is definitely (and obviously) not the case for me. However, this story about Moses reassures me that it may never be the case which may be a good thing.
If I always have things figured out, I may give myself too much credit and start thinking “I GOT THIS!”. Being uncertain of what to say or do or which direction to go remind me (almost daily) that no matter how far I am in my walk with God, I am still utterly, completely dependent on Him. Even when I think I know, I will never go wrong stopping to ask Him for directions to make sure I am on the right route. I can’t do anything in my own power. I need Him.
And I guess I need my GPS too.
But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going.
I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. These are the things I’ll be doing for them— sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute. Isaiah 42:16 (MSG)
~Anu