The GPS

I should start by telling you that I'm feeling a lot better in my relationship with Christ. Something about thinking you're fine in your spiritual walk while still doing or saying things you're not supposed to do or say...Luckily, God loves sinners. And in the midst of my repentance, He showed me something really cool.

How many of you know what a GPS is? How many of you own one? Well, in case you don't know what it is, it's a little machine that you can buy for your car. You plug in your destination, and it tells you how to get there. On our GPS, we programmed it to give directions with our voices (Merry Christmas, Mom!).

Well, the other day, we were driving to an appointment that I had, but we needed to make a stop at the bank. The GPS was programmed for our final destination, not for our little detour. So, of course we hear all these voices saying, "Uh oh. I think you passed it." And then a few minutes later, it reroutes and you hear Dano say, "Turn left." Then me, "After" [Sarie] "200" [Kyra] "YARDS" [Dano] "Turn Left. Then. Turn Left." You get the picture.

Why did I tell you all that? Well, because this is kinda the way God works. We can choose to go get a GPS, just like we can choose to get saved. Sure, we may be able to get along fine with Mapquest or just drive around until we find it, but nothing is as direct as a GPS. When you use Mapquest, you're relying on the fact that you can read and drive at the same time. When you drive around trying to find a place when you could've used directions...well, then you're just being stubborn. So, we have this GPS because it makes our lives easier, kind of.

Honestly, it gets kind of annoying. You try to make a side trip to the bank, but you end up getting panicked voices telling you you need to turn around...repeatedly. There are things we all do that aren't bad for us, but they're not really beneficial either. They may just serve to distract us and get us off-track for awhile. Sometimes God speaks through other people. Sometimes that's how He guides us. When we know we get off-track spiritually and we refuse to take the advice of others, that's like driving around in a new place without a map. It's stubborn. When you refuse to listen for so long, then people stop telling you what to do. And it may seem like God isn't there anymore. But it's only when you remember where you were going and turn back to Him that He can guide you again. And His voice is loud and clear compared to the silence you thought you were hearing. (Psalm 27:14) A lot of the time, all we need is patience and trust in God. (and that's not always easy!)

When we get saved, God programs our hearts to reach the destination of Heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:11b). We can choose the path of righteousness (the way that's not really the easiest, but the most scenic) or the path of destruction. (does that really need an explanation?) I've been on both paths before. I've been on the path of destruction before...lots of times! Let me tell you, it may be fun for awhile, but when you finally get caught and turned around? That...that is a time filled with shame, disappointment, anger and hurt. Not even worth the little bit of fun you thought you were having. I'm not endorsing that path at all. It's not fun to be corrected or to have to break an addiction or a friendship. In fact, it's painful! But you know what? It's necessary. And God will ALWAYS take you back. No matter how far you think you've fallen from Him, His grace reaches farther. His love heals all wounds, no matter how deep or how gaping. God loves the sinner. So much that He sent His only Son to die for your sins. And my sins. And everyone else's sins.

I realize that a lot of the time I blog with conviction, but I admit there's not always been a lot of follow-through. And I don't want to be like that anymore. I don't want to keep ruining my life because I want 5 minutes of something that I'm going to regret later. I think regret runs deeper than pleasure, honestly. But Satan likes to make you think the opposite. So, here is me being accountable. After a week of intense Bible study and prayer time, I'm blogging again with a clear conscience. I am here to attest to the fact that Jesus saves. Jesus faithfully forgives. And Jesus doesn't not demand perfection from us. He knows every part of us and still He loves us. He never wants us to sin, but He knew that it would be inevitable - that's why He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. He loved the world that much (John 3:16)...and not to condemn the world, but so that you could be saved (John 3:17).