Getting Off Track
Have you ever gotten off track? You start well but then find yourself heading in the wrong direction? Maybe you decide to take a shortcut or copy someone else’s journey because it seems faster and easier.
Recently I was driving my car on the way to a planned destination, but I was not the only one driving. My excellent admin assistant, Brooke, was also going, and she was driving one of our Network vans. We were on our way to pick up needed supplies for an upcoming event. I got in my car and set the GPS, which took a moment. When I pulled out of the parking lot I realized Brooke had left already, since she was familiar with the destination and did not need to set her GPS.
Getting on the highway, I thought I saw the van up ahead, so I caught up and followed, assuming this would direct me to my intended destination. As we drove, my GPS indicated that I should get off at the next exit, but I noticed that Brooke did not have her blinker on to exit. Thinking she must know a shortcut, I took my attention off the GPS and followed the van, and when she got off at the next exit, I followed. I was feeling pretty good until my GPS told me to take the next left, and the van I was following was not in the turning lane. Taking a better look, I realized I was following a van filled with people, but Brooke was NOT one of them!
Thankfully the GPS in my car, once I gave it my full attention, got me heading in the right direction, and we met at our desired destination, though I was a little late.
I made two errors on that trip that are life lessons.
First, I didn’t recognize the van because I was unfamiliar with it. Is it gray or blue? A Chrysler or a Toyota? I don’t know because I don’t use it enough.
Second, I traded trusting in the GPS for something that seemed easier.
In Galatians chapter four, we read about living in freedom versus bondage. The story Paul shares is the account of Abraham and Sarah and subsequent the birth of Isaac, who was the fulfillment of a promise God gave them. However, after waiting for what seemed like too many years, Sarah took matters into her own hands and requested that Abraham have sex with her servant Haggar to produce a son. Abraham obliged and had sex with Haggar. Go figure! Haggar gets pregnant and bears a son, Ishmael. About thirteen years later, Sarah gives birth to Isaac, the son of promise. Now she hates Haggar and Ishmael and has Abraham send them away. Conflict is born that we still deal with today in the Middle East. The easy way is seldom the best way - It never is. Our human attempts to bring fulfillment of God’s promise always come up short! Read below.
Galatians 4:22-23
“The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s fulfillment of his promise.”
What has God put in your heart? A promise that is taking too long to be fulfilled? A destination that seems out of reach from where you are? Feel a little weary? Are you tempted to follow the path of least resistance?
Two thoughts have helped me stay the course OR get back on track when I have strayed.
First – Don’t just know about God – KNOW GOD.
When banks train their employees to identify counterfeit money, they do it by teaching them to recognize the real thing.
James 4: 8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
Get close to God! He loves you and can be trusted to have a good plan for your life. Don’t copy what someone else is doing. God has a specific plan for YOUR life, and it’s a good plan. It is easy to get your eyes on other people’s success and assume God wants you to follow that path. But MOST times, He does not.
He knows YOU and what You need. Remember, He created you!
Second -Trust the ultimate GPS—God’s Positioning System.
When I went off track driving, at first, I didn’t want to follow the GPS because it didn’t make sense. I thought I could figure it out myself. However, once I yielded my will to where it directed me, I relaxed and drove confidently to the destination.
Lose the death grip on the steering wheel and enjoy the journey. You will love the destination because God has specifically put the journey together for YOU!
Breathe, my friend, and rest assured of His promises in your life!
Liz
