Our Spiritual Satnav

I am a visual learner and can generally find my way back to a place after being there a few times, just because of being able to recall certain landmarks. Signposts help too of course. But I have really appreciated being able to use Satnav in the car to get to unfamiliar places.

As I was driving recently in a borrowed car, I didn’t have my usual mobile holder, so I placed my mobile on the dashboard and started my journey using Satnav. It was going well until I had to brake a little abruptly, sending my mobile on to the floor of the passenger side. I could, however, still hear the instructions of where to go, through my earphones, even though I could not follow the route visually.

This got me thinking about the fact that when we go through dark and difficult periods, we may not be able to see the way ahead or the direction. But God has promised we will hear a voice behind us saying, “This is the way; walk in it”.

I felt so reassured on my journey. While not being able to see where I was going, I was at peace, knowing that instruction would come with each step, as I could hear the voice giving me direction.

I believe the Lord was speaking to me in that moment. In a time of life when we cannot see the way to take, perhaps not even one step ahead, He is gently guiding us with His voice. And while He may be silent until we reach the next junction, we need to trust that He will lead us and guide us like the good shepherd of Psalm 23.

As this psalm depicts, there may be times He leads us beside quiet waters to refresh our soul. At other times it may be through the darkest valley, where the psalmist declares he would not fear evil, for he knew the Lord was with him and was comforting him.

Be encouraged this day that, as you seek the Lord for direction, His promises stand firm forever. One of those promises is found in Psalm 32:8. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.’

If you feel you’ve lost your way in life, be assured that the Lord is much better than Satnav at helping us reroute, and He will get us back on track. Whether we turn to the left or to the right, He has promised we will hear a voice behind us telling us which way to take.