Internal GPS

It was October, and we were somewhere in the Midwest heading east in hopes of making it to New England to see the brilliant fall colors.  Construction sites frequently slowed our path, although winter weather would soon put a damper on that.  This particular construction zone, however, was not well marked, and we missed our turn.

To make matters worse, we were in our diesel pickup and 36 foot fifth wheel crawling through the streets of this unfamiliar town as cars zoomed past us.  My husband tried to reassure me as he keyed our destination into the GPS (Global Positioning System.)  He felt he needed the GPS as we prepared for retirement.  His dream had always been to travel full-time, and this was one more step toward that goal.  However, I was not so convinced.  I thought it was just another grownup toy.  I didn’t see the point of spending money for an electronic device when maps had worked well for many years.

As our truck began to follow the instructions programmed into the GPS, I watched it take us through winding narrow streets throughout an assortment of residential sections.  Surely this device was confused.  How could it possibly get us back to the interstate?  People gawked at us from their front yards, obviously wondering if we knew where we were going.  But eventually, the GPS did lead us to the correct highway.  Grudgingly, I had to admit my husband was right; we did need a GPS.

It reminded me that we also need an internal GPS to show us spiritually where to go.  What could be more important than that?  Then, I realized that when we invite Christ into our hearts, we do have an internal GPS, the Holy Spirit.  John 14:15-17 says, “If you love me, keep my commands, and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth…for he lives with you and will be in you.”  An advocate is a person who pleads on behalf of another person.  In other words, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  We don’t always know what’s best for us, even though we think we do!  With my creative imagination, I can just hear him sometimes say, “Jesus, strike that last request he just prayed.  It’s not best for him!”

In another verse we are assured that when we invite Jesus into our hearts, we can have an assurance of where we will spend eternity – life after death.   Ephesians 1:13-14 states that “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.”

John 16:13-14 states, “But when he the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify me (Jesus) because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.”

On this earthly journey, we may occasionally have doubts and ask ourselves, ‘How do we know for sure that we are going to Heaven?’  Satan’s goal is to put doubt in the Christian’s heart.  But the Bible says there is no truth in him.  He is the father of lies, John 8:44.

The Holy Spirit’s responsibility is to lead us into all truth.  He will comfort us when we are grieving, help us in our weakness, and show us the way to go so that we don’t get on the wrong track.  He’s our internal GPS, installed by God, to make our journey easier.  In fact, without the Holy Spirit, we cannot hope to please the Lord.  The Bible says no one can come to the Father unless the Holy Spirit draws him, John 6:44.  We don’t even know we need a Savior unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to us.

Since that original trip, I have learned to depend on and appreciate the GPS in our vehicle.  And, for spiritual guidance, I gladly accept the Holy Spirit as my internal GPS.  He’s reliable 100% of the time!

* All Biblical quotes are from the NIV version.