The Promise of the GPS

 One of the biggest technological improvements in my lifetime is the Global positioning System (GPS). It has a been a long time since I printed out paper maps and turn-by-turn directions to get me places. Now, all I have to do is to plug in the address in either my handheld GPS or the one in my car and do what it says. I do not have to worry because my GPS knows the way.

The GPS is a United States-owned navigation system that offers land, sea, and airborne users positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services to determine their exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions, anywhere in the world.[1]  The system comprises three segments:

• The space segment of satellites that act like the stars in constellations helping us know where they are supposed to be at any given time;
• The control segment or ground stations that use radar to make sure they are actually where we think they are; and
• The user segment, or receivers, like you might find in your phone or car, are constantly listening for the satellite signals to figure out how far away they are from some of them. Incredibly, a receiver on the ground can calculate its distance from four or more satellites that are miles up in space, and once that happens, it can tell exactly where you are.

The GPS knows which way is most efficient and lays out the best route, anticipating traffic and other roadblocks to help me get to my destination quickly and safely. This is especially true if it is somewhere I never visited. My GPS sees the big picture, and even if I make a mistake and miss a turn, it redirects me, with that well-known advisory “re-calculating”, and sets me on a new course.

The Holy Spirit is Our GPS

Just like the faith I put in my GPS, I need to choose God’s guidance and to trust His directions. God sees the big picture of our plans and gives guidance. He knows best, even when I think there’s a better way, or try to figure out my own way in life. Since I can’t always anticipate life’s roadblocks, I end up taking a detour, but God knows everything, and my journey is always smoother when I rely on His guidance. When I do mess up and take a wrong turn, He is faithful to redirect me with the assurance found in Isaiah, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV).

Like the GPS, the Holy Spirit does not require the user to transmit any data to prepare a new route for me, and to lead the way on the journey to heaven. Prayer, Bible study, and witnessing will help us see which route to take, but the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. Jesus asks us to listen to His voice because He still speaks. He still guides. He still protects. However, we must quiet ourselves and listen carefully so He can get us where we need to go. Only when we are still can we hear the directions He gives. He is truly the Great Navigator. May we learn to rely on the Holy Spirit the same way we rely on our GPS.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System