But God was very angry when he went,… Numbers 22:22

            When you have an opportunity, go back to Numbers 22 and read the story of Balak and Balaam again, found in verses 1-28.  As we read the account of Balak and Balaam, we see the importance of asking God for direction and then willingly doing what He says, even if it’s out of our comfort zone.  This is being “God-Centered” in doing His will.  When Balaam asked God the second time, He probably gave him permission because of his insistence, but God’s blessing did not go with him. It wasn’t until the angle appeared that Balaam finally realized his mistake.  

            How often do we ask God for guidance and then carelessly take our own way?  We need to go back and review or memorize Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

            I don’t know about you, but I’ve gotten so used to depending on my GPS that I rarely watch the road signs closely.I remember, back a few years ago, when we were taking our son to college. I was using my Garmin GPS, and we stopped for super at a restaurant. As we got back in the car to continue our trip, I pushed the button to “resume.”  And I followed its direction with no concern and certainly not looking at the road signs. An hour later (literally) I started looking around and something didn’t seem right. I then realized that somehow, the GPS had flipped directions on me, and we had been heading home!

            I think, often times, that’s easy to do in our spiritual lives as well. Even when we may think we’re on the right path and going the right way, we sometimes get uncomfortable.  That’s the Holy Spirit checking our spirit. When we “hear” Him nudging us, we need to stop and reassess. We need to take a look at our priorities, examine our motives, and maybe even reprogram our goals.  In this day and age, it’s easy to become casual and complacent and very accepting of society’s ways, and we end up on a slippery slope, constantly in danger of sliding away from Biblical principles.

            Although Balak hired Balaam to curse the Israelites, he ended up blessing them instead. In the same way, the Lord will bless us as well if we love and serve the Lord.  He will guide our paths all our lives as we diligently seek His direction.