StewardLife Lesson 34
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STORY
A few weeks ago our group arrived at Minneapolis for a meeting. We shared a cab from the airport to downtown. The driver, an independent owner, was using a global positioning system called Magellan. On a small screen to the right of the steering wheel was displayed a detailed map of where the cab was going. As the cab traveled along the interstate, the electronic map moved under a dot on the screen. Every overpass and underpass was displayed, with the name of the street going over or under the highway. Every marginal road (with its name) and every lane, including exit and entrance ramps, were shown in detail. Perhaps the driver needed the map, but it was doubtful, since we were going from the airport to downtown--a route he undoubtedly drove hundreds of times. But the positioning system accomplished something else: it assured the passengers that the cab driver was taking the most direct route, with no added miles.
INSIGHT OUT
The Magellan system is not cheap. Receiving one as a gift would really be something! As stewards, God gives you guidance as a gift--the guidance of the Spirit. I am sure you recognize the Spirit as a gift of God in your life, but have you ever thought to recognize God's guidance as a gift? You can have the best map in the world, but may still not find your destination.
STORY
As Pete left the autobahn and exited into Heidelberg, Peggy checked the German Auto Club map.
"Turn left here," she called out. "Now, after six blocks, make a right--that should take us along the Neckar River."
Pete did just as Peggy directed. Sure enough, there was the river bridge. A right turn put him, hopefully, on the street where their hotel was located.
"Did you see the street sign?" Pete asked.
"No," Peggy replied. "I didn't see any street sign."
"Well, we'll just go to the next cross street and check out the names," Pete suggested.
At the next cross street--no signs!
"The map shows that we are on Hirschstrasse," Peggy volunteered, "but I don't have any way to be sure."
After driving about two kilometers along the river on the narrow street, Pete finally found a place to pull over. He got out and noticed a porcelain number sign on a house. The number was only 28 but the sign was six inches long. Pete noticed something else on the number sign. As he approached the house, he saw "Hirschstrasse" written above the number.
"May I help you?" said a voice in English with a definite German accent. It was one of the townsfolk. "You look lost."
"Yes," Pete admitted. "I am looking for number 143 Hirschstrasse."
"Oh, the Koenig Hotel. It's just a few hundred meters up the street on the left, set back off the road in a little hollow. I suppose you are not used to our marking systems here in Germany?"
"Not really," Pete confessed.
"You see, street names are usually part of the house number. You often won't find street signs like you have in America."
INSIGHT OUT
Just because you have a map doesn't mean you can find your destination. Every map is an imperfect representation of the way things really are. Maps usually don't show the rises and falls of the road, buildings that might block your view, or where the traffic backs up. Sometimes personal guidance is needed. That's why stewards who want to manage all of life and its resources look to God's guidance as a gift.
EXERCISE
Recall a time when you had to follow a map but it was an imperfect representation of streets, numbers or landmarks.
Are you drawing maps of your future without anyone to guide you? Or without anywhere to go? How can you improve the accuracy of your "map"?
List three places you can get guidance to make your life map more accurate. For a person in a similar situation see Acts 8:26-35.
