By Rev. J. Loren Russell
“Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country,
Genesis 12:1
From your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.”
Have you ever put an address in your GPS system or into a Google maps only to discover that the address doesn’t exist? I know that experience.
Prior to heading to an appointment, I put the address into the New York City Tripplanner App to determine the best route and to make sure I arrived on time. After changing trains as directed and arriving at the location as planned, I whipped out my phone and entered the address into my trusted Waze global positioning system (GPS). To my surprise, it said that I was two miles from my intended destination.
I called the individual with whom I was to meet to ask if I was at the right location. When she told me that I needed to take the #5 train to Wall Street, which was the train that I was on when I started my journey, I realized that the Tripplanner App had sent me in the wrong direction.
I paid another fare and reentered the subway system. I don’t know what you would have done, but I thought about quitting and going back home. But when got back on the train, I decided to call on the Lord. I thought about Abram who was told by God to leave his hometown and go to an unknown land. I decided to see this through to the end.
When I arrived at the Wall Street stop, I again entered the address in the GPS system, only to discover that it could not be found. What do you do when the address ain’t in the GPS? I called my appointment once again to get the correct directions. Finally!
It was because of the obstructions and the misdirection that I believe this appointment was purposed by God. There were so many obstacles and detours along the way, but just like Abram eventually made it to the place he was told to go, I made it to my destination.
Of course, my little story in no way compares to the journey Abram took, but there are some similarities. First, when your destination has been given to you by God and can’t be found on your GPS, you must travel with faith, believing that your intended destination has a divine purpose. Second, you must firmly believe that should you get lost, you can always call on the one who summoned you. Finally, you must understand that your destination may not be on our GPS and it may not come with a road map, but with faith, prayer, fortitude, commitment and perseverance, you will make it to your appointed destination every time. It may take longer than you’ve planned and may have many detours along the way, but you will get there if you don’t quit. Just like Abram called on the Lord, you can call on Him also. He knows your destination even when it’s not on your GPS.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; and creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen on Matters of Faith on Facebook LIVE.
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