My GPS Isn’t Working

This post is part of the Five Minute Friday blog link-up! Each week Kate Motaung provides a one-word writing prompt for participants to free write for five minutes flat and share their work with the online community. This week’s prompt is DIRECTION. You can also find me on the Inspire Me Monday link-up with Anita Ojeda.

“They went that-a-way!” he said with arms crossed and pointing in opposite directions.

Can you picture it? Confused. That’s how I feel when I stop to think about it, which is way too often. Which way do I go? Lord, I’m tired, just tell me. I’m hoping for a new direction (Isaiah 43:18-19).

“Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
“Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.

It turns out He has given direction, at least I thought so. I’m not so sure anymore. I’ve waited, is that what I’m still supposed to be doing (Psalms 27:14, 37:8-9, 39:7)? My hope is shriveling up, surely it must be time for a change. The truth is that so much has changed already, just not what I wanted.

This is a bit of a lament, I know, and I apologize. But could it be that I’m describing the same situation you find yourself in today? Maybe that’s why I was led to share what I’m feeling with you.

For a long, long time, I’ve wanted to change jobs. I waited so long to move that the job got toxic and I got older. I believed God said wait. Stay put. Was that God or me? Over and over, I convinced myself that this is the place I should stay for the duration. Besides, no one will want me now.

A generous and benevolent owner, brilliant leadership on the business side, flexibility, 20 (yes 20) vacation days, and eight minutes from home. With a 90-year-old mom and dependent sister to care for, the job sounds pretty good. Why not ride it out, right? Are circumstances enough reason to stay?

Wrong. I feel like I’m on the backside of the desert with no burning bush.

It sounds so selfish, I know. I am very thankful to God for His provision, even though it doesn’t make sense sometimes. That’s why feeling lost is so hard. Can you relate?

Staying out of obligation or fear is not seeking God’s direction. It’s settling for what I believe is best. For reasons I’ve justified in my own mind. I know that’s wrong thinking. We are meant to seek God’s direction. To find out what He has to say but, for all my lamenting, I can’t hear Him.

It must be time to get on my knees, be quiet, and set my mind on the Map Maker. He IS our GPS.