Asking For Directions

Job 23:10 – But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (NIV)

I used to keep today's verse taped to the steering wheel of my car, especially on long trips out of state, because, as you perfectly well know, guys like me don't often ask for directions. Whenever I got lost anywhere, I would just stubbornly keep on going until I would eventually have to stop and talk to a local. Usually, I did the stopping, and Evelyn would get out and do the asking.

I can remember our first year over here in the United States, when we were staying at Disney World, getting lost somewhere in Kissimmee, Florida. Instead of heading back to the resort, I was stubbornly taking us all out into the swamps. We'd probably still be there if Evelyn hadn't insisted on stopping at a gas station to get directions.

Just as guys like me are bad at asking for road directions, people are also bad at asking God for guidance. Sometimes, we get ourselves into bad situations and have chronic problems, but instead of seeking God's counsel, we stubbornly hold on to our own beliefs and stick to our own ways of handling our problems. You would think that we would all learn from experience, but we don't. I guess that's why God kept calling the Israelites stubborn and stiff-necked. If only they had taken His advice and followed His ways, they wouldn't have had to spend forty years wandering in the wilderness!

Anyway, whatever we're facing, whatever we fear, whatever problems or issues we have in our lives, let's ask God for help and take time to listen to Him. Otherwise, we're going to go around in spiritual circles and unresolved cycles.

Prayer: Father God, help us to make the time to talk to You about what we're going through right now. Enable us to be patient and quiet, ready to receive Your counsel and to accept Your guidance. Protect us from our stubborn selves and help us to resolve those issues that cause us anxiety, burdens, and stress. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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