High Tech Versus High Discernment

I heard about a GPS app where parents can know where their kids (who have a cell phone) are at – at any given time. But, beware, parents! I also heard about an app that is called GPS Spoofing where the kid, or anyone, can make it look like they’re somewhere, but in reality, they’re not there at all.

My #2 grandson (in age) is 24. While I was in Austin, he told me that his mom and dad have that GPS app on their phones. I burst out laughing when he said, “I asked them to download that app because I want them to know if I’m stuck out in the middle of an ocean! It gives me security for many reasons.”

But, there are reasons for paring back on high-tech to going after low-or-no-tech that slows us down to draw upon our Most High God's HIGH abilities. Back to the GPS app that identifies where our kids are at any given moment. My mama made it without high tech. She had a “discerner” that knew what I was up to at any given time. My daughter has that “discerner” also because her kids say “Mom has eyes in the back of her head!” It’s true – those eyes are her discerner.

That sounds like the HIGHEST ability of our Heavenly Father Who offers us the Gifts of the Spirit, found in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and one of those Gifts is discernment. I’ve used that Gift for years when it comes to my children, my grandchildren, my friends and my husband. Discernment is being able to distinguish, discern, judge or assess a person, statement, situation or environment. Hebrews 5:14 it tells us it helps us discern good and evil. Oh how we need this low-tech, but high ability in our lives today – for so many reasons. We need to make decisions on family matters, political matters, employment, change of locations, and even giving wise counsel to friends. Discernment is a Gift from God and we need to have a heart-to-heart chat with God – asking Him daily for this Gift.

Discernment is not something we have apart from God. It is something we acquire as we walk closely with Him. If you’re in a struggle with one of your children or your spouse or your employer, it’s time to ask God for discernment – the wisdom and perspective for that situation. God knows exactly what’s going on. He is the Giver of wisdom. Instead of facing all the challenges and changes of life on our own, we have the Creator Himself walking alongside us. Want to know what is going on in a situation that is challenging you? Spend some alone time with God. Ask Him. Wait for His guidance. Freely He gives.

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Philippians 1:9

Help! I Need Directions!

I’m so thankful for my phone's GPS app. Such a time saver. Such a stress reliever. Such great comfort as I take so many road trips by myself. I remember the days of getting lost trying to find a location. I wonder how we made it so well before GPS? How did they make it in the old days before pavement roads or signs? Oh, I know. God was with them, just like He is so present with us today.

While my car wasn't starting on Saturday and trying to resolve the issue, I was going through my car’s Owner’s Manual to try to find an answer to the problem. Besides the car not starting, the outside lights would not turn off. I knew the battery would drain if I couldn't figure it out. The outside lights were on “Automatic” and the manual said I needed to “turn” the knob to “Off”, but the knob was stuck. It wouldn’t turn. Instead of unsticking it, I pushed the knob casing right into the dashboard. Lord, have mercy! I thought: "Something else to be charged for at the repair shop!" I tried grabbing hold of it to pull it out, but couldn’t get it to stay. I used a large screwdriver and pliers – but nada! I quit trying and went back to my prayer time and again, that scripture came to me “Do not fear. Only believe.” Shortly after that I remembered my small eyeglasses screwdriver, used it to pop it back in! And, whoa-la, and praise God -- it worked!

Seriously, my friends, I know it’s not a magic potion, but I know God is with me. He is with us. His Holy Spirit is in us and He knows everything about everything. He is our wisdom provider, our common-sense initiator, our comfort-giver, and our source of any and everything we need. He is so much more than a GPS!

I’m hearing the message loud and clear – that we should be communicating with Him as we would with a friend with us in the car, or, across the table from us. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 Those ways include car troubles, family troubles, and life troubles. They include good times and not-so-good times.

Having a little conversation with Him Who knows everything about everything -- provides directions when and to where we want to go. That's huge when we consider those who refuse to ask for directions -- men AND women. They'll go around the same block or same area of town over and over again before they're willing to ask directions. But, in this case.....if we just have a little one-on-one with Him Who is the Supreme KNOW-IT-ALL, He will direct our paths. We'll get to our destination in record time, even get cars repaired. Expert advice!

Perhaps you're looking for direction on decisions that you are having to make today. Just maybe this "Word" is your "Word" too. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways (while driving, washing dishes, mowing the lawn, waiting in a store line, etc., acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."