My family gets a little nervous when I go out of town by myself. When I’m riding in the passenger seat, I never pay attention to roads, route numbers or traffic. To keep my mind off the highway (and speedometer), I busy myself with reading, writing, crocheting, cutting paper things out, and other stuff. Arriving at our destination, I rarely have any idea how we got there.
When I travel alone, I have to depend on Siri.
Siri is the digital or virtual assistant who lives in my iPhone. I ask her things periodically. Typically, it’s to text/call someone or set a timer. Her most important role is giving me directions while I’m driving. I type in the address for the desired location and off we go, she and I. She bosses in an Australian accent while I steer.
When Siri speaks, I listen. Where she leads, I will follow. When I get off course, Siri instructs me to re-route or turn around and I do it immediately, without question. She knows where I want to go. If I obey her directions, I will arrive at my destination at the exact time Siri indicated at the beginning.
I do exactly what Siri tells me to do. Yet, she has never watched over my children. She has never helped them get to sleep after a bad dream or comforted them when they were sick. Siri has never provided food when we were in need of clothes and shoes for school. She has never encouraged me when I was weary or sheltered me through storms or floods. But my Heavenly Father sure has. How much more should I listen to Him? If He says “Go” or “Whoa,” I need to pay close attention and obey.
Siri has lots of answers; my Heavenly Father IS the answer. Siri struggles to understand my Appalachian accent. My Father knows my voice, and sometimes I don’t even have to use words (Romans 8:26).
Siri finds a way to get me where I want to travel through the Maps app on my phone. My Heavenly Father directs me through His Word and the Holy Spirit. He has made a way for me to go to heaven through His Son, Jesus. I can’t always count on Siri, but I can always count on my Heavenly Father.
Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs: “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.” He quite literally will. He has walked me through countless valleys, detours and hard times. He has met every need, dried every tear along the way. He has the right to direct my path!
I’m heading to Versailles this weekend and then to Corbin in two weeks – all by myself. Siri will navigate. My Father will not be the co-pilot. He is the real pilot.