When you go for a drive, do you like the process of planning using a map, or do you grab your GPS and hit the road?
I have a friend who refuses to use her GPS. She loves planning and dreaming with a map in hand. She charts the mileage, looks at the route and maybe even includes a side trip or two along the way.
Years ago, we had to learn to read maps in middle school. In the classroom was a box full of maps. We would be given a starting point, an ending point and a few stops in between. We had to plan the route and determine if we could make the trip in a day, or where we should stop for the night if we couldn’t. As we became proficient, we may have even been asked to calculate the necessary expenses required for the trip.
Of course, the downside of paper maps is that they cannot consider detours, construction or accidents that can impact your trip.
If you are anything like me, you likely have a general idea of the route but still plug in the GPS. With it plugged in I can be assured that if there are any significant holdups or detours, it will offer to reroute, and if I stray off course, it will adjust the journey to get me back on the right path. The challenge is that I must listen to what the GPS is saying and take action.
When walking with the Lord, we have the paper map (Bible) and the GPS (Holy Spirit) guiding us each step of the way. However, both require our participation. We must take time to study the Scriptures to learn the route and the heart of the Father.
As we step foot on our journey with the Word ingrained in our minds and hearts, we must listen to the Holy Spirit to avoid the traps, detours and pitfalls along the journey.
God invites you on a journey. He invites you to open your Bible and glean His wisdom for this crazy journey called life. And He invites you to be filled with the Holy Spirit who will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
Heavenly Father, as I open Your Scripture, help me grasp the wonder of the journey You have me on. Give me eyes to see the route You have laid out for me, and give me the desire to follow Your directions. Holy Spirit, I invite You to be my GPS. Open my ears to hear Your voice and to follow Your lead. Thank You that even when I stray, You offer me a course correction to get back on track. And heavenly Father, open my eyes to see the wonder of the journey as I make it with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ruth Hendrickson is an ordained pastor, itinerant speaker, ministry trainer and board-certified biblical counselor who has extensive experience in the development, training and oversight of emotional healing ministry teams, recovery ministries, prophetic ministry, prayer ministries and women’s ministry. In addition, she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and Charisma courses. She writes for the Elijah List and Charisma and has a podcast titled Real Truth with Ruth. Through biblically based teachings and practical applications infused with love and laughter, her goal is to introduce people not only to the living God who saves but also to the God who desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Her latest book, Everyday Prophetic, will help you find the prophetic voice that God has given you. Visit her website at ruthhendrickson.org, find her on Facebook and listen to her podcast, Real Truth with Ruth.
Abby Trivett 
Stephen Strang