Man’s G.P.S. = Global Positioning System

I am happily willing to press the on switch, enter my destination, and trust that my GPS will get me to where I want to go.  Recently, I was heading somewhere knowing my end destinations.  My drive was unfamiliar, although beautiful.  Despite my lack of familiarity with my surroundings, I enjoyed the ride having complete peace that these unfamiliar roads would take me where I wanted to be. I marveled at the open fields, and the beauty in the spring growth.  I saw squirrels chasing one another and chattering happily.  My heart swayed with worship music gently singing from my radio, and I breathed deep with the beauty of my Creator. 

As I was praying, I felt the Lord whisper, “How quick you are to trust that an electronic device will get you to where you want to go, however, you find it difficult to trust that I will do the same. I am your Perfect Father, the God of the Universe, the very one who gives you every breath you breathe.  You find it painstakingly difficult to trust that I will get you where you want to go.  You are restless in your journey.  I have so much beauty in store for you, unspeakable joy, and yet you find yourself full of fear.  Complaint flows freely from your lips, and you allow doubt to overwhelm and cripple you.  My love for you is deeper than the ocean.  Your striving does not make me love you any more, nor does your failure make me love you less.  It is your faith that pleases me. It is your faith that will get you where you want to go.  Your faith will allow your journey to be breathtaking, transforming, and beautiful beyond compare! It was your faith in your G.P.S that got you to where you wanted to go, and it is your faith in Me that will get you to where I want go.”

A Christian Followers G.P.S. = God’s Positional Story

Do we trust God’s Positional Story (G.P.S)?

God is the King of Kings, Alpha and the Omega, and the architect of the universe.  As the creator of the universe we live out the story He writes (On a side note, this is not a statement that aligns with pre-determinism.  Rather, it is a statement that reveres God’s almighty hand in crafting a greater metanarrative spoken of throughout scripture; He is in control).  God graciously allows us to be a part of His master plan.  It is a brilliant and breath taking plan that we will never fully see or understand.  Regardless, it is His story which will bring about His glory.  It is not about us, nor will it ever be about us. It is about God.  It is about His love, His redemption, His Glory.  We make it about us.  When we do we steal from and misdirect His perfection, His grace, and His unbelievable love!

To Ponder…

Will we allow God to direct our lives as confidently as an electornic G.P.S does in our car as it leads us to our end destination?  Will we allow God to lead us, and go where He asks, so that our hearts and lives will be transformed? If not, why?  If so, where?

We have a place and purpose in His greater story to redeem the world.  Remember, our time in the wilderness (training and preparation) will determine the magnitude of our ministry.   
 
Steps to take - God’s Positional Story

We have some simple steps to take with God just as if you followed an electronic GPS. 
Step 1-Turn on GPS

• Open your bible, pray, and connect with your provider, king, and creator

Step 2-Select Destination

• Set your destination.  In your prayer time say, “Lord, I want to go where you send me.” Ask God, “How can I bring glory to you today? “

Step 3- Select Necessary Route

• The necessary route may be the fastest, most scenic, or simply challenging.  Ask God to take you on the path you need in order to serve Him well.  Our journey is not about getting where we want to go.  Our journey is about going where God wants us to go, and getting there the way He deems necessary.    

Recalculating

How will you get to where God wants you to be?

• Will you be frustrated due to the speed?  
• Will you be tight fisted with your resources?  Or, will you be opened handed?
• Will you enjoy the people you will meet? Or, not?
• Will you enjoy the places God sends you? Or, not?
• Will you find joy in the seasons that God takes you through throughout your life?   

​Do you trust God?  Do you trust that as you connect to God through prayer and reading of scripture, that God will reveal to you the position in His story that He has so graciously allowed for you to be a part of?  

Do you trust that God has the best path in mind for your journey?   So often we do not agree with God’s path for our journey, and we hear that voice - “RECALCULATING…”   My ears have often burned with this thought.   What a glorious God we serve that when we take a wrong turn, He does not shout “RECALCULATING” at us.  Despite any wrong turn we take, God gives us an option.  God sacrificed His son for all so we can receive His “Redemptive recalculation.”  He does not shout “RECALCULATING.”  He says, “Come daughter, come son - I am Holy.”  You cannot be in relationship with a Holy and Perfect God with your sin.  God knew what turns you would make, and He designed as sacrificial system, culminating with the death of Jesus, to draw you back in order to follow His direction (once again or for the first time).”

The journey we take and the road we travel down can be filled with construction, roadblocks, car trouble, car accidents, and road rage.  I don’t blame my G.P.S. for these inconveniences; it would be useless.   Blaming God for the spiritual roadblocks in our way may result in a sense of hopelessness.  God is not responsible for the pain and sin in this world.  He gave us freedom to experience Himself and His creation.  Although, He has made it abundantly clear that it is His responsibility to take every heartache and transforming it. He is responsible for taking every pain, every wrong doing against you, every catastrophe, and every broken dream, and filling you with indescribable joy, courage, strength, purpose, and grace for the journey you are on.

Pondering Scripture… 

Read Psalm 16

(v. 11) “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

A few weeks back Carolyn was reaching out to God for herself, and interceding for our family.  God spoke and gave her a strong reminder.  This reminder retaught us how important it is to know that the journey is not the “enemy.”  The journey, when led by God, is a path of preparation for what He has in store in the future.  Overall, the road of obedience, no matter what the calling or direction, can be incredibly exhilarating as you are given new opportunities and face many trials.  How you lead, manage, and traverse the forks in the road, the blocked paths, and potential missteps will determine if the journey becomes the enemy or if it becomes an opportunity. 

On this particular day Carolyn was on her morning walk with God, which is her normal routine.  However, God had a special word for her.  God spoke to Carolyn and offered a reminder of how important it was to soar when trying to fly.  To soar is to simply “…fly or sail often at great height by floating on air currents.”[1]  The calling, direction, mission, purpose, or vision for a person wants to lead them to great heights no matter the field of work or level of influence.  Too often we work so hard to flap our wings to achieve those heights, and never take a moment to rest and celebrate what has been achieved.  This has been the story of our journey over the last couple of years.

Over the last two years, we have often received words from God via others who have challenged us to enjoy the journey God is leading us on; for it is an incredible one.  We need to stop, if only for a moment, to enjoy all that God has and is doing.  We, like many I have no doubt, work so hard and flap our wings, but what is it for if we cannot find joy in the process.  For me, I say joy and not happiness for a reason.  From my perspective, happiness is an emotion that last but only a moment.  Happiness is an emotion that originates from Joy.  Joy, especially in the Lord, is an experience that changes you from the inside out.  Joy, when found in and through Jesus, comes through the truth and reality of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.  Joy that bubbles from our divine fountain, upon receiving Christ, will be carried with us through all circumstances if you drink from it daily (consuming the truth of the Word, hearing the voice of God, and receiving revelation from Holy Spirit).      
 
On this day, God reminded Carolyn that He wants us to soar.  He wants us to look around, and seek after the joy found embedded in the journey.  If we do not look up and around, all we will ever see are the challenges, trials, difficulties, and frustrations.  I am always reminded of a moment in which Carolyn challenged me to look up when I walk.  My head is always down, so I can focus on where I am going.  The mistake in life I make is that I focus too much on what I am doing in the moment.  I do not take the time to celebrate the distance that has been covered in a journey, and recognize how much closer I/we are to the top of the mountain.  I must always remind myself, whether you are at the top or the bottom of a mountain there is always an incredible view waiting to be experienced.    

As You Go…
Take time today, or this week, to celebrate what you have been blessed with.  From the smallest of blessing to the largest.  Remember that all birds need to soar.  Soaring is a part of flying.  To soar gives you rest.  It gives you a moment to see and celebrate life.  It provides an opportunity to reflect and recognize all that God has been doing in your life.  To see God, and discover Him, will provide an experience that will refill your fountains, so that you can taste the sweet refreshing flavor of everlasting joy found only in Christ and received through the Holy Spirit.

Scripture to Mediate On… 
Read John 15:1-11
(v. 11) “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Read John 16:1-24
(v. 24) “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Read Nehemiah 8
(v. 10) “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  (We are not promoting the drinking alcohol or being a carnivore J)

Resources You Might Be Interested In…
This is a resource Carolyn used while she led the Children’s Ministry for Northbridge to change the culture of the ministry. 
​
http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/1491511419


[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soar (accessed on May 12, 2016).
 

I recently saw a meme on Facebook that got me thinking.  Similar to a Pinocchio style reality when he lies, his nose grew slightly larger.  What would Christians look like if their thoughts were depicted by words that appeared all over their skin?

Once Pinocchio told the truth his sniffer would return to its original size.  On a side note, there is an incredible amount of discussion on what is loosely called “The Pinocchio Paradox,” which creates holes in the plot of the story line…. interesting.   Now, similar to Pinocchio, what if words that were thought by a proclaimed Christ follower never disappeared from their skin until they repented in a manner that brought true heart change?  How would Christians or Christianity be represented at that point if what we truly thought (good, bad, and ugly) was revealed on our skin?  For me, this idea forces me to stop and truly think about how I view people and life.  Would words that express an attitude and desire to “walk by the Spirit,” as found in Galatians 5:16, be seen?  Or, would words that convey cynicism, sinful judgement, dislike, hate, and pessimism be the most dominant?

 If Christ followers walked with words covering their body from head to toe that represent their true heart, one of three things might happen.  First, the true ugliness and sinful heart would be revealed.  In this scenario the covered reality would reveal the nature of an a heart not transformed.  In essence, a confession from the mouth would not equal the heart that it came from.  A second possible covered reality might reveal a spiritual battle ground.  This could be a mixture of light and dark natured words that would illuminate the canvas of a person’s skin creating a visual wrestling match with one’s new and sanctified identity, and one’s old identity which has not yet tasted the purity of God’s truth.  A Third possible covered reality would be a person whose skin is a billboard for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  What would your skin look like?  I suppose the greater question would be, “Would people visually recognize you as a transformed Christ follower or not?”

As I transform the thoughts streaming through my head to written word, I can’t help but think of the time this past fall in which I saw a picture of refugees fighting for a better life with virtually no assurance there was even such a thing.  The picture of refugees I saw broke my heart, almost to the point of tears.  I could not fathom the level of fear that would drive someone out of their home to face an almost equal but different fear.  This “different” fear fosters a glimmer of hope, while the other leaves one hopeless.  To leave all that you know for a future that is unknown is scary enough without the fear of death and tribulation following you as you attempt to leave or escape your current reality.  When I think of refugees, I think of my children.  That alone breaks my heart.  To leave your home as refugees have done will make one thing true; uncertainty will be the guaranteed future for a time.  For some, that time is a life time.

I also think of my wrestling match with God on how to love without judgement those who are homeless.  My wrestling match with God forced me to face the homeless who spotted the streets of Colorado Springs looking for “help.”  Do you help or not?  That is the question that always plagued my thoughts when I saw people who were homeless.  As we were compelled to engage those who we saw standing on a corner holding their “life line,” our hearts begin to crack.  These cracks allowed for the loving action of the cross to enter in like the sun piercing through dark stormy clouds. 

For me, the reality of refugees and the life of those living on the streets became one of many catalysts to change the words that would have appeared on my skin.  I am still a work in progress, but rather than having words that could have rained down scathing drops of judgement, I believe words would have started to appear that conveyed a precious view of people.  My skin, I hope, would predominantly reveal words that loved and not judged.  To love unconditionally does not mean to accept another’s behavior.  I do not believe that at all.  I do believe to love unconditionally is to allow a person to feel and experience grace without sinful judgement.  Grace does not condone behavior, but rather allows room for growth as behaviors change as a person meets the loving truth and action of Christ.  He was sacrificed on the cross so humanity can discover its true sanctified identity as individuals and a community.     
           
How would you represent Christ on your skin? Are the words you speak supported by the actions of your life?  What forgiveness needs do you have?  In the end, we are to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-40).  These two actions and attitudes are like a mirror that reflects an image.  If you love God and love people you will reflect the vision, mission, purpose, and overall life of Jesus. 
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Matthew 22:37-40, “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.   And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.   On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."    

Galatians 5: 16-26, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.   But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.   Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”