Recalculate…Recalculate
By Elin Henderson
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promises…but is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
For those of us who are geographically and directionally challenged, the invention of the GPS has been a godsend! Our years of endless wanderings and countless wrong turns are over…for the most part. Not only do these miraculous machines tell you exactly where to go, but they can compensate even when you don’t follow their meticulous instructions. If you miss the turn you will soon hear, “Recalculate…recalculate…turn left at the next intersection” and voila, you are back on track. By Elin Henderson
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promises…but is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
Praise the Lord that He is a God of patience and long-suffering. Even when we don’t follow His well-laid-out plans, He graciously says, “Recalculate…recalculate” and comes up with a new plan b…c…d…. let’s just say, some of us take longer to learn!
We see this concept again and again through Scripture. He always wants to give second chances, new opportunities, and detours, to get us back on track and depending on Him. Our job? Repent, which really means to just admit you were on the wrong track/road and turn to follow Him. Look at Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Did God have to ask, “Where are you?” when He came down to walk with them? No, He knew where they were. He was offering them a “recalculate” – a moment to admit they were wrong and turn to Him. When God came to Cain and said, “Where is your brother?” did God not know where Able was? No, He knew, He was simply giving Cain a chance to admit His wrong and turn to Him. The people of Israel lived in a permanent state of “recalculation” it seemed – sometimes on the right track, sometimes way off.
He is not slack concerning His precious promises toward us. Promises such as: He will guide and direct us; provide for all of our needs; give grace for each situation we face; be our all and all; so on and so forth. In His longsuffering, He will try again and again to show us His ways and lead us toward Himself! May we respond quickly to His voice and even quicker to the gracious and patient “recalculations” He offers us!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Feeling a little lost lately? Has God been sending any “recalculate” messages to your soul’s GPS? What are some ways that you can more quickly respond to His still small voice?
2. Make a list of God’s promises from Scripture and post them where you can be reminded frequently – Maybe alongside your car’s GPS!
FURTHER READING:
II Chronicles 6:26b; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 86:15
Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.
