Day 9

God’s Gift: Our Very Own GPS Day 9

“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible… everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” —Colossians 1:16 MSG

I think one of the greatest inventions I have ever used is a GPS—global positioning system. Being directionally challenged is part of who I am; finding my way from point A to point B can be a challenge. There is just something about that automated voice telling me which way to turn that makes me feel more secure in my travels. Until the voice says, “Satellite signal lost.” Oh no! The automated voice is lost and so am I.

One time my husband and I were looking for a particular hospital in Cleveland in order to visit my sister-in-law. The GPS said very plainly, “Turn left now.” The only problem was, there was a solid culvert all along the left side and no way that anyone could turn left. We could see the hospital, but the GPS just couldn’t get us there, “Recalculating, recalculating.” And then, “Satellite signal lost.”

Have you ever felt lost? Have you ever lost your signal? What is your usual response when feeling lost, whether on the highway or in the circumstances of your life? Where do you turn for direction? This lostness that we all feel from time to time reminds me of how much we need to have God’s crystal clear signal in our lives—his internal guidance system that he has placed within each of us. And the good news is that he never loses his signal. And at the very worst, we are the ones that
need to recalculate our direction.

Psalm 130:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” At birth, he gave us our very own GPS and who can tell us who we are and what our purpose is better than our creator—we were born by his purpose and for his purpose.
Not only has he given us our own GPS system, but he has lavished on us all the resources we need to fulfill his purpose for our lives. He has SHAPED us for ministry, and that ministry is determined by how he made us. I love the acrostic Pastor Rick Warren uses to describe all the resources God has given us:
Spiritual Gifts
Heart or Passion
Abilities
Personality
Experiences

A large part of his purpose for us is to use these resources to serve others. Read the following scriptures: Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:9; Galatians 1:15. Then ask God to show you what he made you to do, where he wants you to serve, and how he wants you to serve in the body of Christ and in the world.

Closing Thought: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2Corinthians 9:8)

Pastor Barb Ferraro, New Beginnings Church, Meadville, Pennsylvania, Member, Transformation
Team Connect/Refresh