Navigating Through Life with GPS
Senior Pastors of Oasis of Hope Ministries, Pastors Dr. Braxton & Chalis Henderson
Have you ever engaged in a passionate debate about barbecue? If you ask someone from Memphis, they'll enthusiastically share their love for dry rubs and slow-smoked pork ribs. In contrast, someone from North Carolina will proudly describe their vinegar-based pulled pork accompanied by coleslaw. Meanwhile, an onlooker might find themselves caught between the two, wondering how both sides can be so certain of their positions. Same word, completely different dishes. Each sides are convinced they're right.
Here's the thing: we do the same with faith. We throw around words like "worship" or "surrender," but we each have our own recipe in mind. The real question isn't which version is correct—it's whose recipe we're following in the first place. In this blog post, Pastor Dr. Wallace, visiting from Bible Center Church in Pittsburgh, challenges the congregation at Oasis of Hope Ministires to embrace God's divine recipe for living.
The Two Questions That Change Everything
Every single day, whether we realize it or not, we're answering two critical questions: Whose will? and Whose way?These aren't just church questions. They determine how you parent, how you work, how you spend money, and how you navigate relationships. Your answers to these questions shape not only your present but your eternity.
Think about it like a matrix with four quadrants. There's "my will, my way"—doing what I want, when I want. There's "God's will, my way"—wanting what God wants but insisting on handling it myself. There's "my will, God's way"—using spiritual practices to achieve selfish goals (like fasting to look good at the reunion). And then there's the sweet spot: God's will, God's way.
Jesus modeled this in the Garden of Gethsemane. Sweating blood, surrounded by sleeping disciples, He prayed, "If there's any other way, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." That's the quadrant where miracles happen.
When GPS Meets the Holy Spirit
Matthew 6:33 says it plainly: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." God's kingdom is His will. His righteousness is His way. When we get that order right, everything we need follows.
But here's where it gets practical. The Bible is our map—unchanging, reliable truth. The Holy Spirit is our GPS, giving us turn-by-turn directions based on current conditions. Remember when God told Moses to strike the rock? Water flowed. Later, God said to speak to the rock. Same problem, different instructions. Moses struck it again—same old way—and paid dearly for it.
We do this all the time. We succeeded with one approach, so we assume it's the formula forever. Some might even say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". But God doesn't operate on autopilot. Jesus rose early to pray because He needed daily direction from the Father. If the Son of God needed that, how much more do we?
Your Next Steps Start Today
So what does this look like in real life? When you wake up tomorrow, before you grab your phone or plan your day, ask: "Holy Spirit, what's the turn-by-turn for today?" Maybe God's leading you to have a difficult conversation you've been avoiding. Maybe He's redirecting your spending, your schedule, or your attitude toward a coworker.
Don't assume yesterday's playbook applies to today's challenges. Stay connected. Stay listening. Romans 8 reminds us that the Spirit intercedes for us when we don't even know what to pray. You have access to the mind of Christ—why settle for your own limited perspective?
Your Call-to-Action: Daily, pause before every major decision and ask yourself: Whose will? Whose way? Write those questions on a sticky note. Set a phone reminder. Make it a habit to check your quadrant before you act.
A Prayer for Alignment
Father, forgive us for the times we've grabbed the steering wheel from Your hands. Give us the courage to choose Your will and the humility to follow Your way—even when it's uncomfortable, even when we don't understand. Holy Spirit, be the GPS of our lives. Guide us turn by turn through every decision today. We surrender our recipes and trust Your Will and Your Way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Please share this blog with someone you know, as we learn and grow together. Feel free to add your comments and questions, or simply click the heart ❤️ icon if this post resonates with you. Remember, none of us have it all figured out.
