Nowhere to Somewhere…
We seemed to take the wrong turn every time. We had Lola (my GPS) but she was confusing us and we were obviously easily confused. Karen and I were on unfamiliar roads and what seemed natural to us was not the best way. Lola had mapped a plan. She knew where we needed to be. But, when she said turn here we turned there almost every time.
One thing about Lola…she can take me on what seems to be the long way. She and I often argue on the best way, the quickest way. She’s persistent. She re-calculates over and over while I am arguing and trying my way. Sounds like our lives doesn’t it?
As we pull out some spiritual principles from our scriptures above, we get the opportunity to ask God, “What are you teaching in these verses?”
Barricade the road…The Psalmist made several bold requests and we see a great example of this one in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit blocked Paul and Silas from the path they chose and redirected their journey. “Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go.” (16:7, NLT) We can ask the Holy Spirit to throw up the barricade. God’s desire is to help us. Our desire must be to accept His help. Believe me, Lola told us to “turn around when possible” many times.
Clear revelation…God does speak to those who will listen. He will make the path clear. God has made some promises on this. “A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NET and I love this one in Isaiah 30:21 NLT,
“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.”
We have a choice…Just as the Psalmist committed to run the course if the Holy Spirit will show him how, we must make the same promise. Life is full of choices. So many roads, so many opportunities. That’s why the next point is crucial. We must…
Pay attention to the signs…You know the old saying, “If I had a penny for…” well, if I had a penny for every time Lary said I wouldn’t get lost if I would read the signs we would have a nice little vacation fund. Our Bible is the Christian’s “life” atlas. I heard Joyce Meyer say that when people tell her God doesn’t speak to them like He does her she asks, “You don’t have a Bible?” I think The Message describes knowing what’s in our Bible and how it applies to our life beautifully, “I post your road signs at every curve an corner.”
The road to nowhere seems so easy to travel – no expectations or commitments. But for me, God has placed this yearning, this urge to travel somewhere with Him. Like a magnet, I am pulled toward Him. The closer I get to walking out His plan, the stronger that pull feels.
How about you? Are you feeling the tug of God’s magnetic field? Do you have a “somewhere” you and God are traveling towards? I would love for you to share.
If you were encouraged by this post, you may enjoy these also
When We Don’t Understand the Timing
When We Are Afraid We Will Drown
Linking with…
Jennifer Dukes Lee – #TellHisStory Holly Barrett – Testimony Tuesday
Susan B. Mead – #DanceWithJesus Barbie Swihart – The Weekend Brew
Kelly Balarie – #raralinkup Bonnie Gray – Faith Barista
Meredith Bernard – Woman2Woman Sue Detweiler
I chuckled to myself when you compared the road we travel and how we get there to our GPS. I have been known to follow my own twists and turns to the frustration of the GPS which has to recalculate. God has a path for me but as of this time it has not all been revealed. As I retire in June I am sure that I will learn more. Blessings!
Retiring in June! What a wonderful life event to look forward to Mary. Yep, I can just imagine God’s got some big plans ahead for you. Blessings right back friend!
Carmen, I need to “pay attention to the signs” more. Thanks for your inspiration today! Have a great one, Kim Stewart
Life just gets in our way when we try to read those signs doesn’t it Kim? Not reading them sure has gotten me in some trouble :) Glad you visited!
Doggone Lola sound like my GP (don’t know why I cut of the “S”) lol
God word Carmen…Love it! Love you Sis!
Thank you my friend! Glad you stopped by.
Carmen, the directions from one source and then the confusion in my head get me to try to do things MY WAY. Oh, he plays a mean part in all of this, and that is what he likes. But God wants us to follow Him and that is my desire. Thank you for a fine post for me.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
That old enemy of ours loves to confuse us. But Linda you are right, God has THE Way! Blessings to you!
Such encouraging words as we traveled with you and Lola. You are an encourager of the body. Coming to you from the weekend brew too. You’ve encouraged me – let me encourage you too. This is a little something I wrote about hearing to that voice in the ear you speak of:
It takes an effort to listen
A willingness to understand
Determination to know
God’s encouragement goes unnoticed
Affirmation overlooked
Directions ignored
Warnings unheeded
The cost of not listening is high
Unhearing ears exchange the truth for a lie
Depression whispers
Heartache cries
Fear yells
And the father of lies lifts his head in victory
How can we learn to listen?
I will yield – lean in to learn
Come Holy Spirit, come
Truth stands fast
Love holds steady
Tender kindness touches the soul
Listen!
God is victorious
Lies must flee in His presence
Words of wisdom whispered
Knowledge uncovered
Understanding revealed
God is here
Can you hear Him?
Chris, your poem fits so well and is good for me to read this day.
~ linda
Absolutely Linda, I agree!
Beautiful Chris. Just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
God does speak to those who will listen. He will make the path clear. God has made some promises on this. “A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NET and I love this one in Isaiah 30:21 NLT…I LOVE the Isaiah verse too. And it is only as we still and let our hearts hear His that we catch a glimpse of the road ahead. And He is so good to lead us one baby step at a time as we travel to Somewhere with Him…Beautiful! …AND I fight with our “Natalie” too! :)
Oh Natalie, I have your bossy sister in my car! God is faithful. One step at a time. He’s got so much more patience that me!
Carmen, this was a wonderful post! “GOD has placed this yearning, this urge to travel somewhere with HIM. Like a magnet, I am pulled toward HIM. The closer I get to walking out HIS plan, the stronger that pull feels.” <— I absolutely love this! Like you, I yearn for HIS PRESENCE because it is there that I am strengthened and comforted. HE is my joy and my peace. I'm so very thankful for such a loving GOD. Thank you for sharing this! You are a great blessing to me! Infinite blessing to you, Love! :-)
#DanceWithJESUSLinkup ;-)
Yes Tai I agree, in His presence we are strengthened and comforted. So glad you stopped by for a visit. Blessings friend!
I love the comparison to listening to the GPS! If we choose to listen, it can get us unstuck! And what a great reminder that God speaks through His word, which is living and real!
Thank you for speaking such wonderful words.
Dana, God’s atlas for us, the Bible, leads us to victory! I’m glad you visited today!
Lola brought a smile. :-) His Word, barricades, choices, and revelation brought a head nod. So true. #WriteOn #JesusGirl Visiting you today because, well, I simply enjoy spending time with you. Brought here via #DanceWithJesusLinkUp
Kristi I so look forward to meeting you. Lola and I have a bittersweet relationship. Like Facebook would say, “It’s complicated”. Thanks for coming to see me again!
Oh, yes, Carmen…how many times have I acted – travelled – to unknown destinations, without his guidance, his road signs! Love the way The Message puts the Psalm you shared. I love reading the scriptures in different versions; and many times The Message Bible puts it so plainly…how can we miss what He is wanting us to hear?!
Thanks for sharing!
I love The Message too Barbara. I like simple and to the point. I don’t want to miss what’s He has for me either! Thanks for visiting!
Oh, yes, I have that yearning to travel somewhere with Him…and what a journey in trust and walking in faith it is, because so often I have no idea where we’re headed…I just know it’s “somewhere.” :) Visiting today from #RaRaLinkup.
Blessings,
Laura
Laura we “know” because we “know” He’s got this. We just have to trust Him to follow! Blessings friend!
Yearning with you to travel “somewhere” with Him! May we have ears to hear and hearts to understand which way He wants us to go! Thank you, Carmen, for this inspiring reminder of seeking God’s direction. I’m your neighbor at Bonnie’s.
Let’s go Trudy! We are on the path. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Blessings to you!
Yes! I have the urge to travel SOMEWHERE with Him! I need to watch for the signs, because I don’t know where we’re going!?! And, we usually call our GPS well, Stupid, because she tries to take the crazy way out of the way routes. If I put a spiritual application on that, I will have to re-name her…Thanks Carmen!
Ha! Ellen you gave me a laugh today. I can just hear you and John talking to “Stupid”! He’s got the somewhere planned and is traveling with us. Thank goodness. I just need to make sure I don’t follow Him like I do “Lola”!
You write with the heart of compassion…. Thankful for your ministry.
Glad you stopped by today Sue. Your words are so kind. Thank you Jesus for your leading.
I don’t have a GPS yet in my car, although I guess I have one on my IPhone. But even with that, I use the foldout map in the car. I taught my son how to use the map. He found out how valuable that is when a friend was using his GPS to find a location. The GPS led him completely astray. That’s when my son called me and asked directions. I asked, “Doesn’t Jake have a map in his car?” Alas, no map. I was flabbergasted!! No map! You know, that could preach huh? We need to know the Word so badly and rely on so many other sources.
Debbie, yep, that’ll preach girl! Thanks for stopping by :)
Our GPS’s name is Zelda! I love that Message version of those verses in Psalm 119. Oh we do need his word up as a signpost at EVERY turn.
I think I do have a somewhere that God is leading me towards. I hope it’s towards being a free-lance writer! (It makes sense for me to do something I love to earn some money now that my kids will be graduating from high school soon, and we NEED all the money we can get for college! :-) ) That’s where I think He’s leading me, but we’ll have to see…
That Joyce Meyer quote had me laughing!
Betsy I can see you traveling that road too. You write beautifully. Zelda! I love that name :)