I used to get lost everywhere! I recently got surcharged by Uber because I called for a ride in the middle of a long city block and when a text directed me to a Meeting Point, I couldn’t read the map to determine whether to go up or down the street or cross it; I was late locating the car and had to pay extra. Earlier that week, I gave my friend Francie a ride from one unfamiliar town to another, to fetch her car out of Service. I don’t normally have passengers in my little Audi, and I get places using my built-in navigator, whom I affectionately call Nelson. As we drove the ten miles, Nelson gave verbal and visual directions.

“Can you turn that thing down?” Francie asked.

“Not without pulling off the road,” I said. “The volume control is too complicated to adjust while driving, and I feel much safer driving with it on so I can anticipate my next moves.”

Francie (who recently got her first cellphone) sighed in disbelief, but we had a good conversation despite Nelson’s occasional interruptions, and we reached our destination safely and efficiently.

After dropping off Francie, I continued on my two-hour drive home. I was praying the rosary, using a CD.  A reflection on the mystery of the Wedding Feast at Cana ended with Mary’s words about Jesus after the wine ran out, “Do whatever he tells you.” Immediately, I realized how much my GPS is like God, and how I do whatever “he” tells me! The voice I rely on for the best directions in life (as opposed to they roadways) is the Holy Spirit! I’m not afraid of getting lost when the GPS or Holy Spirit is loud enough for me to hear its wise guidance. I can set the frequency of the GPS’ directions and I like them often when I’m in unfamiliar areas, less frequently on my well-traveled paths—I’m eager for the Holy Spirit’s input almost continuously. I rely on GPS and Spirit’s guidance and only feel secure driving or moving through life when they are on — even if I know the way. Omniscient, the Holy Spirit knows the ups and downs of life; likewise, the GPS has real-time information on hazards, detours, road closures, and can save me time and frustration when I obey and avoid those impediments. I have faith in the GPS and the Holy Spirit. I trust both of them more than I trust myself, so I yield to them in humility. Having the GPS on as I drive alone is similar to living in a state of unceasing prayer, sometimes with words, sometimes moving forward silently while subtly aware of a guiding presence and heavenly wisdom!

Even if you have a gift for finding your way around roads and strange cities, I pray that this comparison might help you as It’s helped me to really sense the benefits of yielding to the guidance that the Lord offers us constantly if we will just tune in, listen, and obey! If God’s will and/or guidance have been eluding you, how about praying that God would broadcast to you with greater volume and/or nudge you to turn on this amazing instrument of Love, Wisdom, Power, and Guidance—the Holy Spirit? God delights in us and wants nothing more than to help our lives to head in the best direction . . . though it’s our choice whether to follow or not.