The Infallible Road Map

It was time for a vacation with extended family. This trip involved eleven people, two over sized and over stuffed vehicles, and two new GPS systems- one for each vehicle. My husband had consulted the map and knew exactly where we needed to go. It was a route we had traveled numerous times. However, our smaller vehicle had been passed over for a larger one and my husband wasn't one of the drivers. We all piled in and the chosen drivers started the engines. The GPS systems were fired up and programmed to take us on the shortest route available. Modern technology, what a blessing. What could go wrong?

I settled in for the long drive, but soon noticed my husband was beginning to fidget. As I took inventory of our surroundings, I immediately realized our small caravan had not taken the route my husband and I were so accustomed to. Not a problem, right? The GPS system had simply chosen an alternate course. A shorter route. A better choice.

It didn't take long for my husband to voice his concerns. "Aren't you planning to get on the interstate?", he asked. This, and several other inquiries, produced the same result. The drivers, after consulting with each other by cell phone, decided to stick with the route provided by the GPS. They were confident it provided the best plan.

My husband set back in his seat and determined to hold his tongue. He was not in the driver's seat so he abided by the decision of those driving. Thankfully, he had all he could take 45 minutes later when we were traveling at a very slow speed down a one lane dirt road between two corn fields. No joke. The smooth ride and fast pace of the interstate had not yet been reached. In addition, not one town or restroom could be seen on the distant horizon. This held the potential for being the longest and most miserable road trip ever.

Despite the promise of securing the best route available, the GPS had failed us miserably. Additionally, because the chosen drivers had not consulted a traditional road map before embarking, they failed to recognize the advice given by the GPS was faulty. Their lack of preparation, and dependence on a device prone to error, added unnecessary time and frustration to our trip. Fortunately, because he had consulted the map, my husband was able to take the wheel and lead the caravan to the interstate.

In this day of modern Christianity, there are many different avenues for strengthening one's faith. The internet provides worship services and sermons at the click of a mouse. Bible study and home fellowship groups are the newest phenomenon. Devotionals and blogs providing encouragement and direction abound to help you in your faith walk. With profound advice available, writers like Warren, Osteen, Maxwell, and Blackaby are producing best sellers left and right. Unfortunately, while looking for the easiest and most direct route to mature faith, many people turn to these options and neglect the original road map, the Bible.

The Bible is infallible.

infallible

1.) incapable of erring
2.) incapable of failing
3.) incapable of error in declaring doctrine on faith or morals.

The Bible is the best source for spiritual direction. It is an infallible road map and cannot lead you astray. Any other source comes from mere man, and man- no matter how spiritual- is capable of error. While other sources of study and/or encouragement can supplement the information obtained from the Word of God, they should never replace it.

Are you prone to using a spiritual GPS system of some kind or do you have a first-hand knowledge of the route you should take? In your assessment, here are some simple questions you might want to consider.

-Do you rely on the words of others for your direction or do you consult the Bible for yourself?

-Are you satisfied with the spiritual nourishment you receive during Sunday's service or do you sit down with your Bible to regularly feast on its truths?

-Would you immediately recognize the danger if someone or something began to lead you down a route that ventured from Biblical truth?

When one has a personal knowledge of the truths presented in the Bible, he or she is not easily deceived or led astray. The only way to know and effectively hide the Word of God in your heart is to read it and experience it for yourself. Why not set aside an additional amount of time today to simply soak up the message God's word has for you. It is alive and active. If you allow God to, He will use His Word to speak a specific word into your life today.

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The statutes You have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.

~from Psalm 119