This is the way; walk in it.

The wonderful 'Maps' app on my phone is so smart. I give it a destination. It searches and asks me if it should use my current location to begin. I say yes. It plots a course and away we go. "Turn right onto Grand Parkway North; in one half mile, turn left onto south Main street....

Confusion abounds when the app gives me the best route according to its search pattern and I go a different way. The app and I don't always see eye to eye on the selected route. So, with wild abandon, I choose to use a road not chosen by the app and a little recalibration has to occur. Without skipping a beat, the app gives me a new course correction and direction. The app is designed to get me where I want or need to go. It will continually find the best, quickest, and best options available.

Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, understood the wandering nature of the nation of Israel. God gave great direction, the nation listened then decided to go their own way. Isaiah would share God's holy direction, Israel would not heed instruction, and suffering would come to the rebellious nation. God would offer an adjusted course to get Israel back on track and always through the voices of the prophets. God pleaded with Israel to get back on track. God does that for us too.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV)

Last evening, I witnessed a glorious sunset and couldn't help thinking about God's guidance for me personally. The cloud formations, the streaming sunlight, and the golden hues were a bit intoxicating.

When life is uncertain and the way forward doesn't automatically become clear to us, it is then we trust God's call and move toward it. Have you consciously sought God's direction and stayed the course even in the midst of wrong turns and confusion? Have you seen evidence of God's nearness in the midst of your lostness? Take time today to refocus and follow the holy ways of God. God gives us the way; let's walk in it!