Um… Excuse Me
Every woman knows that the men in her life loathe asking for directions. I think it’s humorous that men would rather drive around, lost for an hour, instead of humbling himself and asking for directions. It’s one of those things that annoyed me with my ex-husband. We’d drive to Virginia Beach, he’d make a wrong turn, another, and then another and announce, “I think we’re lost!” I’d suggest stopping at a gas station to ask for directions to the motel we were staying at and he’d almost bite my head off.
As the years passed, I’d fall asleep in the passenger seat and risk being called a bad driving companion instead of suggesting that he’d stop for directions when travelling out of town. For me, it’s so much easier and less stressful to ask for directions versus of being lost. I don’t view it as a sign of weakness or anything along those lines when I don’t know where I’m going.
When we come to Christ, we come from a lost and broken existence. We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve exhausted our own way of doing, being and living that have thrown up our hands or that proverbial white flag. It’s a sign that we accept and realize that we don’t have all the answers and know that there has to be a better way. The Bible says that “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10-ESV).” That means that when we’ve lost our way and sight of who we are, Christ is there waiting for us to ask Him for directions…guidance. He is more than willing to help us get back on track when we humble ourselves and ask for help versus going round and round because of our prideful nature.
Revelation 3:20 states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” God already knows what’s going on in our lives and will not force Himself on us. Instead, He watches as we make painful decisions and waits for us to come to Him and ask for His guidance. A friend of mine put it this way, imagine walking with God and having to pee. God waits for us to come back; however long that takes. He never leaves us as we choose to follow the desires of our flesh.
Although we sometimes choose to do our own thing vs. what Jesus would do, God doesn’t leave us totally exposed to the elements of life. Psalm 91:11 states, “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways (KJV).” We are His chosen and despite choosing to do things our way, God is on the sidelines waiting for us to realize that we can’t do what He can. Our view of things is so limited in comparison to God’s view…”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).”
Stopping to ask God for guidance and direction is a sign of strength and acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers. I was such the Indian giver. I’d give God my baggage and when He didn’t move as fast as I thought He should, I’d take it back. When I stopped doing things my way and left my stuff at His feet, His directions took me to places I’d never thought about. He knows what our purpose on this journey called life is. He knows what tools and resources we’ll need to reach the destinations He’s charted for us. It’s only then that we can peacefully live, know that we’ll be taken care of and provided for. 2 Timothy 4:17 tells us that “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” Accordingly, John 8:24 informs us, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins (KJV).” Furthermore, Romans 8:28-39 indicates:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestine to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many bretheren. Moreover whom He did predestine, them He also called: and who He called, them He also justified: and who He justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemeth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Why, then, knowing that God is for us, would we choose to drive around in circles afraid to ask for directions? Asking for directions is so much easier than the frustration associated with allowing our ego and pride to keep us lost.
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“I was such the Indian giver. I’d give God my baggage and when He didn’t move as fast as I thought He should, I’d take it back.” Amen. Great analogy with the non-direction-asking spouses since both are driven by the same pride and my-way mentality. Stuff to ponder today! Thanks
You’re welcome! God has a way of putting things in perspective for us when we sit still, are open and listen.
“God already knows what’s going on in our lives and will not force Himself on us. Instead, He watches as we make painful decisions and waits for us to come to Him and ask for His guidance.”
When I get impatient waiting for God’s direction, I turn to other things- advice from my husband, family, friends, books, FOOD. And while it’s sometimes helpful, it’s like only having half of a map. God has the other half and he’s the only one who can lead me home.
Such great words, Denise. Yes, all too often, I act like the proverbial male driver. So thankful for God’s unending grace and patience when I’m being stupid.
Sometimes I forget to ask for directions. And then when I’m so frustrated and I finally think about it I feel like an idiot! So much heartache or stress could have been avoided had I just gone to God in the first place.