The Best GPS

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8

My very first thought each morning has been, Good morning, Lord. What can I do for You today? It’s been that way for many years, and now, my request for guidance is as natural as breathing. But it wasn’t always that way.

Once I sobered up, I desperately looked around for someone to offer me guidance. A little bit of guidance, that is. Not too much. (And nothing too forceful, since I’m a rebellious guy—defiant, even!) A child of chaos, I’d played with every brand of fire and somehow survived. But don’t ever try to tell me what to do. Show me what you’ve done, instead.

Looking back, it’s pretty amazing how defiant I really was. At first, desperation drove me to take some suggestions from those who had been down the road of recovery ahead of me. But it didn’t take long before I was singing “I did it my way…” at the top of my lungs, so to speak.

Kinda reminds me of the small children who quickly learn how to say, “No!”

But somehow, by the grace of God (is there any other explanation?) I learned that I could try things that didn’t make any sense. If it didn’t work, I could always discard it. Or maybe store it, in case it made sense down the road. In other words, “Take what you need and store the rest.”

Of course, the day came when I realized I had gotten sober, but God wasn’t going to keep me that way without an effort to conform to His will. But that seemed really hard. And I knew I’d never do it perfectly.

I realize today the devil uses the idea that if we don’t do something perfectly, then God is done with us. And what a lie that is. Even human parents seem to have amazing amounts of patience with their children. Why would He not have patience with us?

So, how do I recognize God’s guidance—or find His will—when I’m still new in recovery?

If I have to run around the block three times, jump through hoops, slide down the fire escape chute, and do a handstand, it’s probably not God’s will at all. God seems to operate in a straight line. I try to remember that God always keeps it simple.

Many years ago, when I traveled a lot for work, I would leave my luggage with the team and walk up and down the moving sidewalks as we waited for our flight. Somehow, the feeling is exhilarating for me—the wind blowing on my face as I walk at a normal pace but travel at twice the normal speed! When I step onto the moving sidewalk, I think of it as lining up my will with God’s will. And when I do, we’re really going places.

I don’t have to worry about directions. If the moving sidewalk ends, he points out another one close by, and I continue my journey. Yes, when He guides me with His eye, I not only get to my next destination, but I also never miss a flight!

I can’t see the road ahead, but I have the best Guide I could ever ask for. He loves me so much that He has promised to guide me with His eye!

Thank you, Lord, for your Divine Guidance. Unlike our GPS guidance systems, Your guidance never fails to bring me home to You!

P.S. As I was writing this blog, I happened to overhear a lady talking with her friend about her grandson. I glanced over and she smiled, explaining that he would be coming home after several months in a treatment center for alcohol and drug addiction.

“He’s only 21,” she said, eyes brimming with tears. “But we love him so much. We just don’t know what to do for him.”

Well, guess who got to share some experience, strength, and hope with her? And it suddenly became clear that God’s eye had guided me to the next table—close enough to hear a soul who genuinely needed some reassurance that God was listening to her prayers. I gave her my number. I hope she—or her grandson—calls me soon.