Wrong Direction

HWY 10There is nothing worse than the realization that you are headed the wrong direction. After a long day of work and teaching, I was finally headed home. It was after 10:00 pm. It was very dark and starting to rain. I drive this route several times a week and often in the dark. Generally, I get in the appropriate lane and stay there as it turns into an exit only lane.

This night my head was wrapped up in unpacking the day’s events. I moved over a lane to allow someone else to merge. Still wrapped in my thoughts, I looked up and saw the exit for Lake Drive. Where is Lake Drive? Then came that awful feeling realizing I had missed my exit.

I took the Lake Drive exit assuming it would allow me to turn around and head back on the freeway. The intersection at the top of the exit wasn’t your typical intersection. Did I mention it was really dark? Confused, I went across to a gas station to get my bearings. Nothing made sense. I didn’t want to be randomly driving around and I couldn’t see how to get back on the interstate. So I did what most of us would do, I asked Siri.

Me: Siri, get me directions to MN HWY 10.

Siri: Getting directions to MN HWY 10, Stephenville Canada

Me in frustration: No, get me directions to MN HWY 10

Siri: Getting directions to MN HWY 10, Stephenville Canada

Ugh! Could this be any worse. It was bad enough that I was headed the wrong direction, but now Siri won’t cooperate. In desperation, I tried a different tactic with Siri and gave her my home town to get directions. That time it worked. It turned out there was a simple way back to the highway that wasn’t visible from the direction I had come. Soon, I was back on track and only a mile off course.

In other areas of my life, it usually take me longer to realize that I’m headed the wrong direction. Generally, realizing that I’m headed off on my own path, not the direction God is calling me to, takes lots of prayer and discernment. I’m rather cautious when I change direction. But, there is a simplicity to it. A simplicity that begins in a manger. A simplicity that we can read over and over in Scripture.

Getting back on track is simply spending time with the one who came as a babe and gave His live for all of us.  That’s all it takes. There is no magic formula. Hang out with the One who reigns as our:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7) 

He never fails to get me back on track. He won’t fail you either.

What do you do when you realize you are headed the wrong direction? Share your advice here and we can encourage each other.

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