Road Trip Lesson

Posted bymusingsofmanettekayPosted inChristian Living, Devotional, PrayerTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last week, I went on a road trip to deliver and complete the sale of a vehicle. According to Google Maps, my destination was a five-hour drive. My dad followed behind for the transportation back home.

The evening before, I had checked my computer, finding there were three possible routes with similar travel times. I wanted the one which had no tolls, appeared would have less traffic, and was the most direct from point A to point B.

As I crossed into a bordering state, I pulled over because the live navigation on my smartphone was directing me on a different route than the course I intended. After a roadside consultation with dad and an explanation of my preference, we headed off on my desired route. As we drove on, I found my selected path had miles of road construction and detours. Dad had gently suggested we follow Google’s navigation course but yielded to my choice and followed behind.

While we drove the twists and turns of detours, my Heavenly Father provided a vivid analogy for me. In a quiet whisper, I heard, “This is what life is like, it’s a long road trip. People can trust me to map the best course. The navigation system I provide is the Bible. My word provides live turn-by-turn guidance through life for those who trust me. Or like you’re doing, they can ignore the assistance offered and take a route of their own choosing. I will yield, like your dad, because I am gentle, and I have given mankind free will. The latter option involves consequences. There may be some rough life detours and delays. There may be unfulfilled goals due to lost time and missed opportunities.”

“Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy. . . and whenever you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it,’ ” (Isaiah 30:18, 21).

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come,” (John 16:13).

“I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you,” (Psalm 32:8-9).

My five-hour drive stretched into six hours, further emphasizing the perfect illustration. How about you, do you try to steer through life on your own? Do you daily seek wisdom and guidance to stay on course for the current stretch of life’s road trip? Are there necessary adjustments to be in obedience and sync with God’s instructions?

Prayer
Dear Father God, purge mule-like stubbornness from me, cleanse me from selfish attitudes that insist on “my way” as those are an affront to Your holiness. Lord Jehovah, give me a keen sense of recognition to Your voice so that I obey Your instructions without hesitation.

Father, thank You for being wise, gentle, and gracious with me. Thank You for providing us with eternal guidance through Your word and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.

Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.

Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.

Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.

Published by musingsofmanettekay

Sharing bits of memoir in the format of devotionals, prayers, short stories, and occasionally a poem.

15 thoughts on “Road Trip Lesson”

  1. My first thought was “if only life didn’t have road construction”. My second thought was “Thank God for road construction”, it’s probably better than plan B for the Lord to teach us to listen for and follow to his directions.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Thank you! I am in a spot right now where I believe God has shown me a route, but it doesn’t make complete sense to me and my heart wants to question it. I am praying for absolute confirmation that I don’t have it backwards. I don’t want to go the long way. But I am comforted by the reminder that I will arrive, and God will go with me, one way or another! I sure want to go by His map, tho, so I will continue to study it until it’s time to leave!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Beautifully said, “I am comforted by the reminder that I will arrive, and God will go with me, one way or another!” Trust can be so challenging.

      I’m grateful God has used this little experience of mine to speak to you. May you find assurance and confidence to move within His guidance remembering He will redirect if we head off course.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Manette,
    Your post came as though God were speaking directly to me through you. I have been extremely anxious regarding my book on Amazon, published by Ambassador International Publishers. Everything seems to be going wrong. Th book is not moving and I wonder if I’m on the wrong road. Some authors pay for reviews and stars on Amazon, as though they have a huge following. They also pay for bogus awards to make themselves look great. I have been tempted, but have not yielded to that road. The Proverb Scripture about trusting is upfront on my mind, but I question if I’m really where I should be . . . that maybe I’m not in God’s will. Two more books will be coming out – one before this year is over, and another early next year. They are completely different…stories of love and faith and forgiveness. Failure is not only hurtful, it’s embarrassing. I wept before I got to the last paragraph of your post. I know God steers our self will to eventually bring us to the right place. I know Satan wants to destroy what is good. Seems I know all the right things, but it’s hard to trust when failure is shouting. Thank you for this word from the Lord today. It is an encouragement. It’s helping me to trust more deeply. God bless you..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree when talking about a “literal” road trip and I did enjoy the route I drove, detours and all, it was a gorgeous drive with beautiful scenery.

      When it comes to my spiritual life journey (the point of the analogy) I want to heed the voice of the Lord avoiding detours and delays [missing out on blessings]. I.e. the Israelites taking a 40-year trek that was possible in ten days. By ignoring and disobeying the voice of God most lost the privilege to enter the Promised Land. My destination is my eternal home and I prefer to enjoy that to the fullest extent both upon arrival and now.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Thank you Manette for sharing the powerful analogy the Lord showed you through this road trip. It certainly resonated. I struggle with being self sufficient. Point me in the right direction and I can take it from there. I’ll map the “best” course and don’t need assistance, so I think. That mindset has led me down some long, lonely, pot hole filled roads. I’m so grateful for the Lord’s mercy and grace. It’s in that place of humility where I’m able to accept that He gives me directions a step or two at a time and I don’t need to plan beyond that. I just need to faithfully turn and hear the next step He wants me to take. The portion of Isaiah 30 that you quoted is one of my favorites.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Just yesterday I was talking with my friend and we agreed that we need to be able to discern Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom often sounds great too but in the long run we realise it’s shallow.

    You wrote “Dad gently suggested” and the words struck me. For a believer God’s wisdom is never far away but we often choose not to listen maybe because it doesn’t come looking attractive or it goes against our natural inclinations.🤷
    My takeaway is, I have to learn to listen to that gentle nudge or talk or however way God chooses to speak or impact his wisdom to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lade, welcome and thank you for sharing your insights. You are correct in the fact we must “learn to listen” to God’s voice. It is so easy to either deceive ourselves by thoughts the enemy presents (like Eve) or distract ourselves because we’re choosing to go our own way (like Jonah).

      The Psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). That infers God speaks in a quiet, gentle voice, not wimpy and not yelling. A good teacher does not shout rather they speak with confidence and authority and students have the responsibility to tune in [focus] and listen.

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