GPS – God Positioning System

The sky darkened and I tensed, gripping the steering wheel harder as the rain began to fall. I’d done fine on the morning ride to drop my son off for an out of state science class. The route was no different now as I drove to pick him up, but I hate big highways and unfamiliar roads, and the inclement weather just added to my anxiety.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

I get off track when I fix my eyes on circumstances rather than trust God’s vision for my life, and through prayer and the Bible, realign with His will.

The GPS directions to my destination remain the same in the cloudy evening as in the morning’s fair weather. I just need to follow them.

God’s directions don’t change because of fog, or rain, or stormy skies, and unlike a GPS, with God’s positioning system we are never out of range. His eyes and heart are set on us. God sees the way clearly when we cannot. We just need to follow Him.

You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalms 139:2 (NKJV)

Suddenly, the temperature gauge on the dashboard shot into the red zone and there I sat roadside for almost four hours. Patiently. (Wow, Lord—that is a miracle.) Sometimes it feels like life runs ahead and throws up roadblocks. I keep trying to get away, but drama intervenes. Good thing God is my getaway. He is my refuge and works all things for our good and His glory when our hearts are His.

Sometimes life, like my car, sidelines us and we overheat, blow a gasket and find ourselves stranded roadside in need of rescue and repair. But my God is a restorer; that’s why He likes to show up when things are broken.

The two-day delay to repair my car resulted in new friendships forged, and my son was blessed to complete his chemistry labs in addition to biology. I shared Jesus with people I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise and gained new readers for my blog—like the tow truck operator, the AAA dispatcher, and the Lyft driver. Sometimes what we view as stalled plans or detours are divine delay.

Are you anxious, lost, or broken? Jesus is the mind mender, the heart healer. Do you lack direction? Call out to Him. If you’ve taken a wrong turn, He is able to reroute your life and steer you in the right direction. I’ve found there’s no surer way nor better companion for the road trip of life than Jesus, the designer of our destiny.

Did God call you to this journey? If so, stay the course.

 Lord, help me to tune my ears and heart to hear Your still small voice above the clamor and the chaos of the world. Remind me to cast the cares I’m not meant to carry on You, my Creator. I want to shelter in Your presence and peace. Thank You for loving me and directing my path. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)

© 2018, 2019  Rachael M Colby                          Tattoo It On Your Heart

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Author: Rachael M. Colby

Rachel M. Colby has a heart for reconciliation and a passion to uplift those who serve in tough places. She writes to connect cultures’ questions with Christianity’s answers, inspire faith, and motivate. She is an award-winning writer in the categories of articles, poetry, devotions, essays, flash fiction, and children’s picture books. Her article The Integration of Oak Ridge (the subject of her WIP) won the 2022 Selah Award for Articles in Print at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is a longtime member of The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild and a protégé in the Cecil Murphey Mentoring program. Rachael's work has appeared on the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Blog, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Christian Devotions, Southern Ohio Christian Voice, Inkspirations Online, in the compilation books Creative Writing Journal: Faith Inspired Writing Prompts & Hope-Filled Poetry, Defining Moments: Memorable and Inspiring Stories from Outstanding Leaders, and The Courage to Write: 62 Devotions to Encourage Your Writing Journey, and in the Oak Ridger newspaper. This Jamaican-born wife, mom, beach bum, artist, work in progress, makes her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She runs on copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, and a whole lot of “Help me, Jesus.” View all posts by Rachael M. Colby