“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)
“Recalculating.” My GPS nagged.
“Please proceed to the route.”
My eyes rolled slightly as I reached forward and turned down the volume. My previously consistent GPS had changed course on me mid-route.
Familiar with the area, I continued toward my destination. I didn’t know exactly where I was going, but familiar with the area, I was confident I could find my way.
“Recalculating. Proceed to the route,” the GPS demanded again.
How’d the volume turn back up? I wondered to myself.
Again, reaching for the volume, I continued on my way.
Steadily increasing my speed, I rolled through the on-ramp light and began my merge into rush-hour traffic. I glanced to my left to ensure no one would impede my path as I turned my wheel slightly and crossed lanes headed toward the carpool lane (though no one was in my passenger seat).
Now silent, my rejected GPS stood by as I proceeded toward my destination.
50 MPH…55…60…65…
Last I saw, I was only eight minutes away and well ahead of my appointment time. Increasing my speed steadily, I matched the flow of incoming traffic.
All clear, I thought as my red SUV crossed lanes.
Shifting my head forward, my eyes caught a glimpse of what was ahead. Attempting to avoid my dangerous path, my foot pushed the brake pedal hard into the floor as I yanked my steering wheel left.
But it was too late.
The sound of crunching metal and screeching tires filled the once quiet place while my GPS stayed steady on my dashboard, as if watching the chaos unfold. My car veered hard into the five-foot-tall cement median meant to separate northbound traffic from southbound.
Thank goodness it was there.
Chunks of red metal ricocheted off the concrete and took flight.
My once beautiful bright red Nissan Xterra jumped off the median and jerked back to the right, smashing into a car that had come to a nearly unnoticeable halt in front of me.
Time slowed as I watched my previously smooth drive turn into a violent nightmare.
Coming to a rest on the once-flowing freeway, my car and many others sat frozen in time. As my eyes refocused on the landscape in front of me, the blood flowed back into my fingertips and I loosened my grip on the steering wheel.
Resting my hand over the center of my chest, I steadied my breathing.
In, out.
In, out.
You’re okay, I whispered to myself.
My left hand reached forward and pulled the black door handle, releasing the hot air that felt like it was suffocating me. My right pressed the red release button for my seat belt, and I slowly slid from my seat, touching the steady ground.
Walking around my car, I saw the damage that had been done. My only vehicle was now a mangled mess.
Glancing back through my windshield, I saw my steady, unmoved GPS waiting to redirect me.
It had never stopped trying to guide me.
Even after I ignored it.
Even after the crash.
It was still waiting to show me another way.
I stood still for a moment in awe. Had I listened to that voice saying, “Recalculating,” all of this could have been avoided.
Several times it tried to redirect my course, yet I chose my own way.
I know I’m not the only one who has been caught ignoring the GPS whose only job is to help us arrive safely at our destination.
In fact, I often ignore it, thinking I know better.
At that moment, God used that ordinary GPS to remind me of an extraordinary truth. We have a tendency to think we can see what’s in front of us well enough to arrive safely at our destination, but the truth is that there is often much we cannot see.
Standing at the front of my car and looking at the wreckage, Isaiah 30:21 came to mind: “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.'”
Why did I think I knew better?
Why didn’t I listen?
The damage that could have been avoided—not only to me, but to others around me…
But I guess that’s part of the lesson, isn’t it?
The truth is, we don’t ignore God’s direction because we can’t hear Him. More often, we ignore it because we trust our own judgment more than His.
We often think we know the right way to go, and instead of listening to God when He gently asks us to recalculate our plans or our path, we continue on as if we know the full road ahead. Yet how wonderful it is that we have a loving Father who redirects us, not out of control but out of love. Because only He can see what lies ahead of us, and He knows what is ultimately for our good.
Sometimes God’s direction doesn’t make sense because He can see what we cannot.
He sees the stalled traffic around the next bend.
He sees the collision we’re rushing toward.
He sees the road home.
How many times have you felt this way, my friend? How many times have you looked back at the wreckage of your situation and wondered why you didn’t listen to that still, small voice directing you?
Today is not a reminder of your past mistakes, but an encouragement for the next time you hear His voice.
When He whispers, “This is the way; walk in it,” pause.
Trust Him enough to follow.
Because the One who asks you to recalculate is the same One who already knows what lies ahead.