The night was dark and rainy. I was working in an unfamiliar city, depending on Google Maps to tell me how to get back to my hotel. As I looked for a landmark I recognized, an arrow on my dashboard directed me to turn left, and the oh-so-familiar voice of Google’s assistant confirmed the command.

I turned into oncoming traffic on a four-lane divided highway that had businesses obscuring the median. When I saw headlights coming straight toward me at 55 miles per hour, I thought, “That’s a crazy driver.” When a second person laid on their horn and swerved out of my path, it dawned on me: I was that crazy driver.

Oftentimes, the loudest voice is the one in my head. But, that voice isn’t always telling me the truth. Though the words are never spoken, I hear them clearly. The voice of comparison whispers things like You’re not as pretty as that girl. You’re not as talented as that woman. You’re not as good as that lady. You’re not as loved as she is. You’re not as smart or as strong as her.

This voice misdirects me, and I crash into a pileup of jealousy, insecurity, strife, sadness, and fear. That’s when I most need to hear the voice of my Father, telling me that I am His marvelous workmanship, knit together in my mother’s womb. I most need to hear my Father telling me that I am delicately formed and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14).

Yet, even knowing this, when I look in the mirror, I can still doubt myself. I see my flaws as if they’re under a spotlight and then I falter. I want to see myself as my Creator sees me, to hear His voice above my own inner voice. I want to believe everything that my Heavenly Father says I am and can become. I want to fulfill my purpose and live abundantly fulfilled (John 10:10). But more times than I’d like to admit, I listen to the lies instead and turn away from His love and His truth.

Recently, I used Google Maps again when driving to a friend’s house for the first time. She lived on a lake, so the roads were narrow and twisted as they wound around the water. In no time at all, I was lost — and, yet, the voice of Google Maps told me, “You have arrived.” The home in front of me looked nothing like the picture my friend had sent me of her home. Now I was lost and running late and wanted to yell, “What? This isn’t where I need to be!?”

If I’m honest, this also happens to me spiritually — a discrepancy between what others see and what I see. Especially during times when I feel disconnected from God, I look critically at myself, my family, and my house. On the outside it might appear that “I’ve arrived” at a measure of success or happiness . . . yet I feel discontent.

My current location doesn’t look like I envisioned. I want to be further ahead with my goals and feel more confident. I want to look different or, at least, look at myself differently. That’s when I most need a Savior because I need to be saved from myself. I need His Spirit — my Comforter, my Counselor, my Helper, and my Friend.

God’s Word is infinitely better than the GPS in my car. In fact, I think of it as the best kind of GPS: God’s Powerful Spirit. As Christians, when we need direction, you and I can be assured and pray Psalm 119:105-107 (MSG): “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything’s falling apart on me, God;  put me together again with your Word.”

While Google Maps and technology are forever changing with system errors and imperfect updates, God is unchanging — and His ways are perfect. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I’m so grateful for God’s Word that directs me, and the Holy Spirit who grants me discernment and peace concerning my path.

When we don’t know which way to turn, we know we can turn to God by opening our Bible, praying, and listening for His perfect voice. His Spirit is always available to direct you and me.

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