Mapquest And Life

I will driving a lot this month, armed with an almost new GARMIN GPS system! Sometimes our lives seem directionless. The following speaks of using the computer to map out every step we take. It is from June of 2006.


It's amazing what you can find on the Internet. Tomorrow I leave for the longest drive of my life and I've enjoyed using the computer to help me get ready. I've discovered you can find prices for gasoline at stations all along the route. Hotels and motels have their own websites where you can compare rates, check-in times, and amenities. There is even a listing of every McDonald's in Arkansas should I choose to dine at the Golden Arches. My favorite Internet tools are mapblast and mapquest. All you have to do is type in a starting address and an ending destination and instantly, you are provided with step-by-step directions, from doorstep to doorstep. You can choose the quickest or shortest route and get reverse directions. I'm amazed. It's also amazing that mapquest gets me to my parents' home in 34 steps while the mapblast scenario requires 84 BUT one hour and twelve minutes less driving time! I wish I had one of those talking navigational systems but those are out of my price range. I'll do just fine with what I have. Everything is neatly arranged. All I have to do is get in my car and point it towards St. Louis! That's where it gets tough. The journey looks simple on a sheet of paper but you can't drive paper. It can't factor in weather or other drivers. It doesn't take into account how much sleep I had the night before or the condition of my Corolla. They can predict the length of the trip but it's only an estimate. I'll know for sure when I pull into my folks' driveway at 157 Crescent Road in Twin Oaks, Missouri. I'm in no hurry so my guess is 3:24 PM, Wednesday, June 28. I'll let you know and I promise not to manipulate my speed just to make myself look smart.

Life is like that, isn't it? We want to get to get from Point A to Point B with as little interference as possible. The problem is that life is a series of obstructions and the navigation of those possible pitfalls determines so much about ourselves. Where do we go for our guidance? How do we find our way when we are lost or stray off course? There is a mapquest for the soul:
The Bible offers instruction.
"Your word is a light to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)
The Scriptures assures companionship from the best possible source.
"The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid." (Psalm 118:6)
The Word promises security.
"For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever." (Psalm 37:28)

But notice, there's no guarantee of smooth sailing or lack of detours. Instead, we have assurances of never being abandoned in the difficult days. It's interesting that in Matthew 7:14, Jesus defines the route to eternal life as a narrow road. The tragedy with the highway that leads to life with the Father comes with Jesus' next statement: only a few find it. I hope that doesn't apply to my drive this week. Maybe, instead of focusing on navigating from Houston to St. Louis, I should be more helpful to others finding their bearings on the path to the Promised Land. Stevequest...it has a ring!


Applicable quote of the day:
"Discoveries are often made by not following instructions, by going off the main road."
Frank Tyger

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com