DID I MISS SOMETHING?

“For I Myself will help you,” declares the LORD.  Isaiah 41:14 NIV

How many times have you been lost because you missed the exit, turn-off, sign, or forgot to get directions in the first place?

Now, I know it is dated to think we use real paper maps anymore, but my GPS system has gotten me lost more than once, so because of that I like to have a general direction of where I am going, and I still like looking at a paper map now and then.

One such place was while we were in South Carolina and were visiting Patriot’s Point, Fort Sumter, and then into Charleston. Our starting point was Myrtle Beach, SC and it is basically a straight shot south to those locations.  But….after circling around Charleston during heavy traffic for a while, we had to abort our sightseeing to pay attention to my rogue GPS.

This may seem strange or you may not have experienced this, but I have, and it has happened enough for me to be extra cautious when using these ‘helps.’

I am not one who can always tell which way is north.  I am not a homing pigeon, and I am not familiar with every road, freeway, nor location in the US.  I am a regular (albeit relatively new-ish behind the wheel after almost a 5-year hiatus), driver with a desire to get from A to Z with little discomfort, distractions, drama.

Much like our walk with God.  Walking with Him requires a working knowledge of the road map (the Bible), a desire to learn, follow and obey all traffic signs.  To be a true follower of Jesus I am not the one to make up the rules, the how-to’s, the traffic signs.

I can try as hard as I want to get my own way, go up a one way street in the opposite direction, stop when I should go, or go when I should stop.

I may not know everything in the Bible (and this is the truth), but I have a desire to seek Him and follow Him and I will know His will as I study His Word.  I came across this verse while studying recently and I have been chewing on it ever since:

Jesus said, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.”  John 7:17 NIV

At first glance this seems rather simple, but think about what Jesus is saying – there are so many factors going into this.

1.      If anyone chooses – we have a choice.

2.      It is God’s will, not mine, my friends, my pastor, my husband.

3.      We are called to search to find out in the choosing to do – this is an active word which means actively pursuing God.

4.      Jesus’s teachings are all written down for us in the New Testament – so we need to read His words, His teachings, and follow His life when He lived here on earth.

5.      Jesus starts this conversation with, “My teaching is not My own.  It comes from Him who sent Me.” (John 7:16) God sent His Son (John 3:16) and He gave Him the words to say to a lost and hurting world.

6.      And we are told Jesus does not teach, speak, do, on His own -He follows the Father and He learned obedience as we are told in Hebrews 5:8 – Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what he suffered.

So, how does this fit into my life?  Into yours?

Well, as I see it, a lot.  There are times when I do not know the next step, the right step, when to stop and when to go.  There are times when God is silent and times when He talks a lot.  There are times when I talk a lot and when I am quiet before Him.

And there are times when I ask myself, “Am I missing something?”

I literally asked myself this question this week.  Am I missing what He has for me?  Am I so distracted with life around me and the ‘stuff’ I need to do that I forget to stop and be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10).

I am okay with stopping, resting (5+ years of affliction taught me that), but it’s more with the knowing who God is.  This is an experiential knowing – as in using the five senses to know God.  Do I desire to know with all that I am?  With my heart, soul, mind and strength.  And will I like what I find?

Am I making God out to be what I want Him to be, or who He really is?

I’ll leave that question hanging as it is something to think about for more than a passing moment.  Life ebbs and flows around Truth and I want Truth to be my compass, my anchor, my solid rock.

So, I need to be like Jesus – become obedient because suffering taught me that.

PRAYER

Father, I do thank You for Your Word and for giving me directions on where You want me to go. And I thank You because You will help me. You give me the best directions, take the time to explain them to me - even draw me out a map on a napkin so I won't get lost in a new town, new state, or new portion of my life. You will not leave me stranded, lost and alone. I am forever thankful.