Recalculating…

Road trips, there is nothing like ’em. I took a road trip from Southern California to Phoenix, Arizona. It was one day there and one day back, about five hours of driving time each way, just enough time to do some serious thinking. Enough time to get quiet enough for God to speak. I was heading to Phoenix to have a business meeting with some very good friends of mine. I was on the road early, about 2 in the morning, rainy windshields all the way from my house to Palm Springs. Then it was clear skies and then a beautiful sunrise.

On the way out I wasn’t quite sure about where I am on my journey with God. This last year has been pretty confusing. About half way to Phoenix I decided to visit a church and it looked like, if my timing was right, I could make the 9:15 a.m. service. I was hoping to hear from God, maybe get some orders from headquarters. About the time I hit the city limits I got a call from my friend’s husband. His wife was in the hospital, and had been since Saturday. I was glad that I had just pulled into the parking lot of the church. I’d need God for this situation.

If you know me, you know I have trouble with “normal” church services. I have a tendency to be critical. The music was too loud. The people were too friendly. The preacher talked to long. Those thoughts come to me pretty easily. But I was surprised. Maybe I was just so zoned out on 5-hour energy drink and early morning driving, but I pretty much loved everything that happened from the time I walked in the front doors of the auditorium until I got back in my car to head to the hospital.

I loved the music! They did a contemporary version of “Joy to the World” that really touched my heart. I had heard the preacher other times, but I didn’t remember that he was this good! Simple, straightforward, intriguing talk about the straight good news of God’s kingdom. It was about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, in contrast to being an admirer of Jesus. It was powerful. The message touched me, and I was born again, again during the message.

The preacher told a story about the GPS. His family’s first GPS was purchased on a vacation. The voice giving the driving directions was a woman with a British accent, very authoritative. When he followed her directions he did great. Disneyland was within reach. Walmart just around the corner. But when he thought she was leading him in the wrong direction, he turned the GPS off. The preacher compared his situation to that of a believer who has stopped listening to the voice of God in his life. He and his family were lost. Solution: Turn the GPS back on! Next thing he heard, the voice, not of condemnation, or nagging, but simply saying: “Recalculating!” I heard the Lord say to me, “Isn’t it time to tune into me again?” With tears in my eyes, I just said, “Yes.” Recalculating…

When the speaker gave the altar call for people to choose to follow Christ, about 40 people went forward. It was great! I followed a little later and received prayer for the situation with my friends.

The visit turned out not to be quite what I expected. My friend is recovering from surgery. I’m praying for her. We did manage to get some of our business worked out. Now I’m back home, excited to see where God is taking me for the next leg of our journey together.

You can watch the video of the service here: http://vnpproductions.com/lessons/2010/video/20101218.mp4