July 23, 2008
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Although it’s not something I care much about, a GPS was part of the package in my new van. Recently on a short trip out of town I was driving while Bill played with the GPS. Programming in our destination, the female voice of the computer said, “Stay on this road for 16 miles.” When it was time to turn off the highway the voice said, “Turn left. In 750 feet turn right.” Because of construction on a side street I made a slight detour and at each successive intersection the computer was insistent that I make a right turn and get back on course. After six blocks she just gave up and quit talking to me. Finally, when I was able to get back on course, she decided to speak to me again and started giving me directions. Driving up in front of the house she said, “You’ve arrived at your destination.” I think that sounds like something Jesus might say when I finally get to heaven.
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Gail;
-----In getting you to your destination, the GPS System would have ran you through the risk of a construction zone simply for the mere sake of its own instructions. Jesus would not have. Indeed, Jesus gives us the destination as well as a general set of directions for getting there, but He allows us to work out the details as our circumstances accommodate.
-----Having spent half a year with Pentecostals, I have known a few brethren who would object to that observation. I remember one who was in the throws of great spiritual pains trying to receive word from the Lord on what color car she should buy. But the Bible is quite straight forward about our responsibility to think and make decisions, for many of the circumstances of our lives are in our own hands.
-----Then there are the other kind of brethren who, being aware that the nature of the GPS signal given by the Word is rather general, are all too happy to step in for the Lord and clear up its specifics for your life, to their advantage. The contemporaries are a good example of these brethren. There is nothing whatsoever in the Bible requiring your church to assimilate the contemporary, praise type culture. Yet, like your GPS computer, those who require it show scorn for your route and praise for theirs until you relent and drive their route. And even at that, your GPS system has one significant difference from your insistent brethren: at your continued refusal to drive its route your GPS system will never invite you to leave the vehicle if you don’t like the route it chooses, and then take over control of the vehicle “for the Lord“.
Love,
Steve Corey
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