April 1, 2020

A question we have asked several friends over the years was "what name did you give your GPS voice?"  It just seemed like it should have a name. The voice we used on our phone GPS in Tigard, or was "Penelope", our Tom-Tom GPS in Mexico city was Mrs. Peabody. They were two different voices but shared a function that sometimes was rather frustrating. That was to use the term "recalculating" when we had missed a turn or gone off their designated route. Sometimes, it could be rather frustrating because as we were trying to correct by making  a three point U turn, the entire process was accompanied by hearing the word "recalculating" repeated about every five seconds or so.  On more than one occasion I found myself yelling at an imaginary person "Yeah, I know, shut up already!". 

The word "recalculating" has been ringing in my head. I had already made the same adjustments many of us are making in the current health situation. Each day thanking God that Pam and I are blessed with the support of family, friends, a church family, and a board of elders who have my back.  Then I had a medical draw back that caused me to "recalculate" the adjustments I had already made.  What came to mind was a text written to Israel in which God speaks through His prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 43:1b-3a God says:["Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.]

Those words ring as true for those of us who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. With that proclamation, we become His. We are redeemed, called by name and when we pass through rivers and fire, we will not be overwhelmed or consumed because our redemption has sealed for us a wondrous destination. We may have to "recalculate" along the way because of trials we face, but those recalculations will not alter where we will end. 
Have a blessed day in Him, Vic