My Navigation System

gpsI travel everywhere with my GPS device. Whether around the Minneapolis area or when I travel around the country, my trusty navigation system goes with me.

Of course, like most electronics, there are some basic things we must do to gain the benefit of this technology… like take it out of the box and plug it in. Every machine, whether electronic or mechanical, needs a source of energy to wake up its design and potential.

Trusting the GPS Can Be Hard

The next step¸ after the GPS system is turned on, is to program a destination and follow the directions.  This requires “faith” because the devise wants to takes us over unfamiliar roads to an unseen destination.

The GPS and Walking by Faith

There are several parallels between our navigation system and faith. Like these:

  1. Just like a GPS packaged in the box, we know God placed eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 4: 11).
  1. But, like all of the potential designed into the GSP, our hearts are “dead” because there is no power source.  Our souls need Jesus as the power source. In John 3: 16 we find this: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” When we confess our sins and deadness, asking Jesus for salvation, His life awakens our hearts and connects us for all eternity.

  1. But now we have the opportunity and option to follow God. He made us with a special design and course in life, and invites us to follow Him.

  1. But now, like my GPS, I worry about the direction my life will take.  I might prefer to program my own destination and not like God’s plan; or I become like Peter on the water and panic over the conditions of my journey.

“I Believe; Help My Unbelief”

The father in Mark 9 brought his sick son to Jesus for deliverance and healing. While the father wanted to believe Jesus could heal the child, he also admitted gut level doubts.  This seems more reasonable when we consider that he had asked others for help, and they let the family down. Likewise we believe and ask God for help, but our human hearts may doubt. We may see the direction God wants and doubt it is right; or we fear the unknown and threatening conditions around us and panic (like Peter on the water).

Knowing Who to Ask and Join You

First of all, as you think of God as your GPS just like the Mark 9 father did, trust Jesus. But also when you might still feel “lost” or have “unbelief,” know it is ok to for additional confirmation and confidence with someone else.

As a counselor, my role can is like a passenger or one who provides added navigational help on your life’s course. Together we can find God’s pathway for your life, and you can find encouragement to find and follow His destination and direction for you.