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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
You Will Never Get Lost
May 3, 2005
Dear Friends,
It should come as no surprise that a man whose favorite baseball team is
the Tigers also has a deep seated fantasy about owning a car called a
Jaguar. As a boy I was into the "big cats" and I collected all kinds of
posters featuring these beautiful creatures. A lot of people ask me if I am
from Detroit when they hear of my devotion to the Tigers. I simply tell
them it was the name and the image that captured a ten year old boy's
imagination. I have been hooked ever since.
As for the car, I am far too practical to indulge in that fantasy. I drive a
Honda Civic. It is seven years old and paid for. Nonetheless, I've always
said that if I could drive any car in the world it would be a Jaguar. Its one
of those things on the list of "100 things I want to do before I die". Well
this week I am living that dream. A couple I know had to go on a business
trip and it just so happens that they own a Jaguar. They learned about my
fantasy and offered me the use of their car.
I feel like the proverbial "kid in the candy shop". I called my family and we
went out driving last night. We tried out every one of the car's bells and
whistles. I think the feature that captured my imagination the most was
the satellite tracking system. The car seemed to know exactly where we
were. A map was displayed on a screen on the dash. As we were driving
the car talked to us and told us how to get where we wanted to go. When
we missed a turn, it quickly recalculated our route and proceeded to gently
guide us back on course.
My daughter, Rachel, was as fascinated with this guidance system as I
was. I have to tell you the truth: We conspired together and purposely
went astray a few times just to test it out. It was fun watching the
computer go to work to plot our back to the intended path. My wife
noticed that the computer never said a word when we missed a turn or
went astray. I joked that most people already had a "back seat driver" to do
that and the sophisticated car owners didn't want to pay for a second one.
As we were coming up the hill toward our house, it dawned on me that
this satellite system worked a lot like God does in our lives. He always
knows where we are. He has plotted a course for our lives and gently calls
us to it. When we go astray, whether accidentally or on purpose, He
continues to reach out to us and provide new ways for us to return to the
path that will lead to our greatest happiness. And if we really want to find
joy in life, we can simply turn to Him right at the start and follow his Word
which He has given as a "lamp unto our feet." It is a built in tracking
system that always leads to God.
The scriptures say that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are
more precious than silver or gold. It got me to thinking that although that
Jaguar is a pretty special car, it is nothing compared to you and me. We
have been crafted by the master and all of our component parts reflect His
glory. So although I will truly enjoy driving my "dream" car with its fancy
navigation system, I will by no means get lost when I give it back. God
has shown me the way to find my heart's desire.
If you are feeling a little lost and need help getting back on track, turn on
your internal navigation system, start praying to God and He will bring you
home.
God Bless! See you at Church. Cal.
May 3, 2005
Dear Friends,
It should come as no surprise that a man whose favorite baseball team is
the Tigers also has a deep seated fantasy about owning a car called a
Jaguar. As a boy I was into the "big cats" and I collected all kinds of
posters featuring these beautiful creatures. A lot of people ask me if I am
from Detroit when they hear of my devotion to the Tigers. I simply tell
them it was the name and the image that captured a ten year old boy's
imagination. I have been hooked ever since.
As for the car, I am far too practical to indulge in that fantasy. I drive a
Honda Civic. It is seven years old and paid for. Nonetheless, I've always
said that if I could drive any car in the world it would be a Jaguar. Its one
of those things on the list of "100 things I want to do before I die". Well
this week I am living that dream. A couple I know had to go on a business
trip and it just so happens that they own a Jaguar. They learned about my
fantasy and offered me the use of their car.
I feel like the proverbial "kid in the candy shop". I called my family and we
went out driving last night. We tried out every one of the car's bells and
whistles. I think the feature that captured my imagination the most was
the satellite tracking system. The car seemed to know exactly where we
were. A map was displayed on a screen on the dash. As we were driving
the car talked to us and told us how to get where we wanted to go. When
we missed a turn, it quickly recalculated our route and proceeded to gently
guide us back on course.
My daughter, Rachel, was as fascinated with this guidance system as I
was. I have to tell you the truth: We conspired together and purposely
went astray a few times just to test it out. It was fun watching the
computer go to work to plot our back to the intended path. My wife
noticed that the computer never said a word when we missed a turn or
went astray. I joked that most people already had a "back seat driver" to do
that and the sophisticated car owners didn't want to pay for a second one.
As we were coming up the hill toward our house, it dawned on me that
this satellite system worked a lot like God does in our lives. He always
knows where we are. He has plotted a course for our lives and gently calls
us to it. When we go astray, whether accidentally or on purpose, He
continues to reach out to us and provide new ways for us to return to the
path that will lead to our greatest happiness. And if we really want to find
joy in life, we can simply turn to Him right at the start and follow his Word
which He has given as a "lamp unto our feet." It is a built in tracking
system that always leads to God.
The scriptures say that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are
more precious than silver or gold. It got me to thinking that although that
Jaguar is a pretty special car, it is nothing compared to you and me. We
have been crafted by the master and all of our component parts reflect His
glory. So although I will truly enjoy driving my "dream" car with its fancy
navigation system, I will by no means get lost when I give it back. God
has shown me the way to find my heart's desire.
If you are feeling a little lost and need help getting back on track, turn on
your internal navigation system, start praying to God and He will bring you
home.
God Bless! See you at Church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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