Is God a GPS?

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are very popular.  There are a wide variety of GPS receivers available at a fairly reasonable price.  A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by the GPS satellites high above the Earth.  For the traveling salesman, they are essential.

The other day I was in my friends vehicle which had a GPS receiver.  He entered in the address we were heading to and the system calculated the path we were to take.  It did not list out all the directions on where to go rather gave directions one turn at a time; basically an arrow on the street as to where to head.  As we drove and got close to the next turn, the system would audibly alert of what direction we need to turn next.  We took the turn and when we got close to the next turn, we were alerted again.  It was amazingly accurate.  We got to our destination with no problems.

Now, I got a little curious.  I asked him to put in another address.  As we began our journey, I asked him to not obey the directions.  Sometimes he would not turn or would turn the opposite direction.  The unit recognized the “mistake”, recalculated another path, and proceeded to give new directions.  Eventually we had enough and we ultimately still got to our destination, though obviously, a little longer than it should have been.

This got me thinking.  We are always wanting to know God’s Will for our life.  We want details, tell us audibly on where to go, etc.  In Genesis 12:1, “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.‘” Abram didn’t get step by step directions from God, just a command to leave and go.  Later in that chapter is states that Abram left as the Lord had directed him.  It seems like God works like a GPS unit.  He may not tell us the whole path we are going to take, but only one step at a time; in Abram’s case to just go.  As we journey into God’s will, God may tell us turn several times very close to each other (turn at this corner, at that corner; like you are in a city), at other times we may need to stay straight on the path we are on for a long time (like on a highway).  If we don’t listen, the path will be recalculated.  Eventually as we listen and obey, we will get to the place we are to be, though it would not have been the best way if we had only listened and obeyed the directions when we were told.

Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.“ 

Sounds to me that we should not be concerned with the details, only focus on today; go one turn at a time.