Is There An App For That?

The three of us huddled close, my phone held tightly in my outstretched hand, all eyes watching the white arrow pointing us in the direction of the day's treasure. I've learned to use my smart phone for geocaching, looking for hidden caches based on GPS satellites.

Can you imagine if we could download an app to hear from God just as directly? I would call it the Jeremiah 29:13 app: You will seek me and find me when you seek with all of your heart. I get the seeking part; we need to pray and read His word to hear Him speak, and be attuned to the Holy Spirit whispers. But really, I would just like an arrow sometimes to tell me which direction to go and how many meters until I get to the prize.

 Scripture makes some things crystal clear, like don't lie or steal, honor your parents, and stop looking at your neighbor's new patio furniture with envy. Often, though, there is no right or wrong answer involved. Here is some of what He has shown me along the way:

• Sometimes we get a glimpse of the big vision, but the timing is still in God's Hand. It doesn't mean we didn't hear Him or understand Him correctly. We just need to spend some time in the desert.
• Following Him today opens doors for tomorrow. Our job is to honor Him at each little step and let Him reveal the next one and the one after that.
• Time spent wandering in the desert is not wasted time. Often He is building up a character trait that we will need further on down the road.

Because we are new to geocaching, we sometimes go home without having attained the goal for the day. This is where seeking God and playing with my phone part ways. God says, in Isaiah 55:11, that the word that goes out of His mouth will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.

So, sit tight my friend. Sit tight. He hasn't forgotten about you.