I find the sat nav app on my phone really useful. It connects to my car via Bluetooth and directs me whenever I’m not quite sure where to go.
But there are times when it can be a tad annoying too and if you could be a fly in the wall in my car, you’d hear me talking back to my sat nav. Sometimes I’ve already figured out the way to go (or at least I think I have) and as I set out on my chosen route, the sat nav starts to give directions that are different and in my opinion, a longer route. Then, when I inevitably take a wrong turning and get lost, it pipes up repeatedly “make a u- turn”.
I have a choice in that moment. Either make the u-turn and follow the instructions of the sat- nav that actually knows the route, or keeping going my own way and become increasingly lost.
Don’t you find life is very like that sometimes?

Off Course?
Whether the ‘wrong turn’ we take in life is major and right off course or just a little off the main road, we have a Sat Nav to bring us straight back on course. It’s the Bible – the Word of God.
The reasons I get lost when driving are simple and twofold; either I’m not paying attention or I’ve deliberately chosen to ignore the sat nav and try out my own way.
So it is in my Christian walk.

Not Paying Attention 
This Proverb instructs us clearly to ‘pay attention’. To ‘listen carefully’: Proverbs 4:20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Choosing my own way
Deciding to do it my way rather than the way God says is both foolish and prideful and will only end up in a dead-end anyway, with me having to make that u-turn. Proverbs 16:17-18 says it all: The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

God has given us clear instructions for living, and for dealing with any given situation. The Bible isn’t for dipping in and out of when I feel like it, it’s my sat nav for daily living. Without the Word of God I am lost.

Make The U-Turn
If you have taken a wrong turn and found yourself heading off down a road you really don’t want to be on, simply listen to that voice you hear in your heart that’s saying, “turn around, go back, get back on track”.
As most of us know, the word ‘repent’ means simply, ‘make a u-turn’ (and then start walking in the right direction)
Our Father God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, quick to forgive. We on the other hand are often not as gracious with ourselves- or with others.

It isn’t complicated, but we often complicate it. So you’ve made a wrong turn – it doesn’t have to be a big deal!  Proverbs 28:13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
Simply repent and invite God into your circumstances, right where you’re at this moment. Even if your prayer is “please help me Lord!”
He’s there with you, ready to give wisdom and strength. He didn’t leave you, even when you stopped listening to His voice.

No matter how big or small, just make that u-turn.

Jill 💜