Google Maps and Traffic Reports

Because I travel back and forth to Queens from New Jersey at least five times per week, I have become very dependent on two tools to help me find the best and quickest route there and back: Google maps and the live radio traffic reports.  With Google maps I can turn on the traffic function and look for the colors on the main roadways.  Green means the traffic is flowing well, yellow that it is a bit slow, red that it is nearly stopped.  Oh, red with a black line in it means, don’t even try to go that way!  By looking at the map, I can determine which bridge I should take, what roads to travel (or not travel), and approximately how long my commute will be. 

Of course, there’s still nothing like the old-fashioned live radio traffic report—especially when it comes from the chopper!  Not only can the reporter tell you where the slow downs are, but also why they are occurring and any prognosis or timing issues.  So as I am getting dressed in the morning, it’s my habit to listen for the traffic reports as I begin to strategize the best route to take that day. And, when I get into my car I look at the time knowing that 880 am radio will have its report on the “8’s” and 1010 am radio will have its report on the “1’s.”  It’s all in an effort to spend the least amount of time sitting in traffic. 

As we journey through life, we’d often like to know the best route(s) to take.  We are constantly faced with options regarding the way we should go or live. Lots of choices—“roadways”—are before us.  Sometimes one is as good as the other. At other times, one may lead to trouble while the other may lead to that which is good.  Unfortunately, we can’t always tell at the outset.  That is when we could us some “tools” to help us along our way. 

The good news is, God has given us some “tools” to lead us to the best route(s) for our lives.  One tool is his word, the Bible.  The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  (Psalm 119:105 – NIV)  Like a Google map, the Bible lays out for us clearly what we can expect in our world and how it is we should respond and live. The second is the Holy Spirit, which in essence is God himself.  Jesus said, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13 – NIV)  Like the live traffic reporter, the Holy Spirit warns us and updates us and gives us counsel on a very personal level—if only we will listen.   As we read God’s word and depend upon the Holy Spirit, we don’t need to guess which way to go. Rather, God is able to lead us into the route that is best for our life.

I’m thankful today for the “tools” God has given us to direct us, lead us, and guide us.

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm 48:14 – NIV) 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris

www.pifny.org