Navigation System
HOLY SPIRIT: OUR BUILT IN NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Written by: Kyla McCormick
I don’t know about you, but when I am planning to go somewhere I have not been, I look up the directions, see how long it will take and become familiar with the route ahead. I like to be prepared and have an idea of where I am headed. Even still, I always plug the address into my GPS so I can have the step by step directions as I go. This ensures that I’m heading in the right direction even if I get distracted or off course. Trusting that it is guiding me, no matter what the trip may throw at me.
The Lord has impressed upon me multiple times in the last few years that when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive our own built in navigation system, the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is our helper, our counselor, our teacher and our comforter (John 14:27) We do not have to go about this life trying to figure it out on our own and we are never alone. Praise God for this gift! We are so fortunate to have the Holy Spirit, but are we using this gift as God intended?
I recall driving to a photo session and I was using my car’s navigation system to get there. Half way into the trip I took a left turn and felt the Lord connecting this idea. In taking that turn, I chose to trust the navigation system and follow where it was directing me. However, I could have just as easily chosen not to take the turn and go my own way. How often do we choose our own way over the Holy Spirit’s guiding? How often do we ignore His prompting or choose not to “plug” into Him for guidance? Thankfully we serve an all knowing, ever present Father who knows the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10). Just like our vehicle’s navigation system, the Holy Spirit gives us the route and even reroutes us to keep us headed in the right direction. He is there to guide us every step of the way. He has also given us His Word as a lamp for our feet and light for our path (Psalm 119:105). He provides us with all that we need!
While we may know that He is there and providing for us, are we truly putting our trust in Him? Trust can be hard living in a broken world, however Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” He wants to and can be trusted with our lives, each and every part of it! The more we get to know Him and experience His love and faithfulness, the more we will trust Him to direct our paths. We belong to Him! We can know Him and hear His voice (John 10:27b) as our good and faithful Shepard!
This all leads back to asking whether we are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us or if we are trying to do it on our own? Honestly, there are many days where I wake up and go about my day, choosing to not “plug” into my Helper. I know that I need the Lord and His help but in order to receive it I need to spend time with Him and be open to what He has for me. The great news is that His hand is always outstretched, ready to receive us. We just have to continually choose to come before Him.
As this new year begins, I invite you to bring this before the Lord. To a take look at how you spend your time and if you are spending it in a way that honors the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit convict you of any areas you may need to adjust. Knowing and trusting that His plans and purposes are so much greater than our own. No matter what we face during our time here on earth, we can rest knowing we have a loving and faithful Father who will guide us through it all!
Prayer: Lord we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. We thank you that we are never alone and have you as our Helper, our Comforter, our Counselor and our Teacher. We ask that you would show us the areas where we are trying to do things on our own. Lord, help us to trust you with all our heart, in every area of our lives and to lean into you and not our own understanding. Open our ears and our hearts to hear and receive what it is you have for us. We pray this in your name Jesus, Amen!