Divine GPS
Divine GPS is an excerpt from a new book by Pastor/Author Tim Throckmorton. Throckmorton’s first publication, “YOU BOUGHT THE BOOK, YOU NAME IT! from which this article was taken will become available to the public June 20, 2009 at a book signing/launch party at Borders book store in the Huntington Mall, Barboursville, WV. The public is welcome at the event. Friends and acquaintances of Throckmorton are encouraged to attend between 2pm and 4pm. Hope to see you there!
You Bought The Book, You Name It!
TIM: I knew I was lost, you see a few months back Terri and I traveled to Cleveland because a man from our church family was having surgery. When we were entering Cleveland on I-71 I happened to miss the exit I was supposed to take. Now this is not the first time that this has happened to me, just the first time that day. Anyway, I really didn’t want Terri to know so I acted cool and collected and of course prayed silently. I had no choice at that point so I took the next exit I came to and after a few miles I was able to find my way back to where I was headed. So I kept my cool and I don’t think that Teri had a clue that I was ever lost. We got where we needed to go and I looked like I knew what I was doing. Whew that was a close one!
TERRI: I knew he was lost, but I acted cool and didn’t panic. Cleveland is not the best place to be lost during morning rush hour. But he was playing it cool as usual, not thinking I knew. Like I don’t know when he’s trying to play it cool. He usually does pretty well with directions, but sometimes it happens, he gets lost. When he does, the last thing he wants to do is admit it. Especially to me. So he just keeps driving, and driving ,and driv..you get the idea. Anyway, with the Lord’s help (I’m sure he was praying), with the Lords help he was able to find his way to the hospital. I love Tim, but I wish sometimes he would admit when he is wrong, and maybe I could help him more.
The above story is true and the names have not been changed so as to reveal the guilty. Uh, that would be me. Terri and I laugh at my directional mishaps, after they are over of course. And she is probably right. I should admit when I am wrong and ask for help. As least she could do the praying while I drive. Now here’s another story that happened to me and probably to others as well…….
TIM: I knew I was lost, you see for a long time I had traveled in a direction I could tell was wrong but was afraid to admit it. I had traveled on this road for such a long time that I couldn’t see another direction to go. Oh, that’s not true, I did know the right way but I was afraid to try to try it. So I played it cool, you know, like I knew what I was doing, like I was in control. I don’t think anyone knew, especially Him. I even thought of acting like I was on the right road even when I knew I wasn’t. No one would know, just me. And if I was lucky enough I would be alright in the end. At least that’s what I hoped.
GOD: I knew Tim was lost, in fact I knew it before he did. I could see the way he was traveling was the wrong direction and it broke my heart. He was acting cool, like nothing was wrong. He tries to be good, but he can’t without my help. He was headed away from me, the only one who could help him. If he would only ask I would help. I would willingly forgive him for all that he has ever done wrong. I would give direction and purpose to his life and we could have such sweet fellowship if he would only ask. I love Tim, but I wish he would just admit he is wrong and ask for my help.
This story is also true and again the names have been purposefully left the same so as to reveal the guilty party, and that would again be me. It was almost thirty years ago when that story took place, and I am so glad that I finally did admit I was wrong. As a young teenager at a little church camp in Greenfield Ohio I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I found the forgiveness, the direction and the peace that only He can offer. Being lost on I-71 during rush hour is bad enough, but being lost for eternity is a horrible thought.
We have recently been introduced to a technology called GPS, or Global Positioning System. This little gadget can communicate with a satellite orbiting the earth and let you now your exact location so you can never get lost. What a novel idea, I should get one! But think of this, God is the ultimate GPS system. He knows where you are right now, and even more he knows where you are headed. Your course is set for Heaven or hell, one of the two. Now if you’re headed in the wrong direction today, what you need to do is heed the advice and directions that God gives and you can find you way safely to where he is. Don’t play it cool, play it safe. Trust the Lord today for the direction of your life.
