1. “Global Positioning System: a global
system of U.S. navigational satellites developed to provide precise positional
and velocity data and global time synchronization for air, sea, and land
travel.”
2. An electronic system that uses these
satellites to determine the position of a vehicle, person, etc.:
3. A receiver that determines its position
by analyzing the satellite signals it receives:”
-Definitions of GPS from Dictionary.com
Yesterday I
was thinking about all the messages that I process as I go through my day.
Some are in emails, Facebook postings, websites, store displays, labeling
on products, books, or magazines. Sometimes it is an experience such as viewing
a sunset, illness or being in a car accident. Sometimes it is a presentation, sermon, Bible
verse or conversation with someone. Some messages or experiences I
do not give a second thought to, but some give me pause and I think further
about them.
In my essay
the Butterfly as a Symbol I wrote that the meaning of a symbol changes
based on the designer or creator, the viewer, and a point in time.
According to Carl Jung some symbols such as a circle are ancient and are
buried deep within our collective unconscious. Symbols, including words,
have changed meanings since their creation. To understand the full
meaning of a symbol, the viewer needs to understand the history of the symbol
as well as the context.
Therefore,
we can create symbols or an experience with a specific interpretation, but that
meaning can change with time. Our souls, which are eternal and connected
to God, often influence the creation of symbols or experiences without us being
conscious of it. At a later point in time we look back at those
experiences or symbols with a different interpretation and realize that God was
at work in our life.
Interpretations
of a symbol or an experience can designate different paths in our lives, but we
need to evaluate them prior to making a choice. This is when God's GPS
comes into effect. Sometimes the Holy Ghost will tell us to
"stop" by yelling at us in our head or to wait (a credit card
transaction won't go through) or gives us the green light through an spiritual
affirmation (lightness within our brain). Sometimes after prayer, an
event or symbol occurs that answers our prayer and we know God is at work in
our life and guides our path. Sometimes a symbol or experience presents
it and pauses us to think based on previous experiences or knowledge, and
therefore we choose a better path.
Interpretations
of a symbol or an experience can designate different paths in our lives, but we
need to evaluate them prior to making a choice. This is when God's GPS
comes into effect. Sometimes the Holy Ghost will tell us to
"stop" by yelling at us in our head or to wait (a credit card
transaction won't go through) or gives us the green light through an spiritual
affirmation (lightness within our brain). Sometimes after prayer, an
event or symbol occurs that answers our prayer and we know God is at work in
our life and guides our path. Sometimes a symbol or experience presents
it and pauses us to think based on previous experiences or knowledge, and
therefore we choose a better path.
What is remarkable
is that as we grow in our trust of God's love and interest in our well being,
we see more signs guiding our path. In addition, God, through the life
of Jesus and the Bible is full of promises and guidance on how to pray and live
so that we experience his presence. The combination of God the Father
through his creation (the Universe, Earth and all it's inhabitants including
our souls), the Bible, and Jesus alive in us as the Holy Spirit, are God's GPS.
What amazing things could God achieve for us if we navigated the symbols
and experiences in light of his love and the love of each other in accordance
with his GPS?
When
we individually and collectively use our free will to follow God and his
"GPS", "All things are possible."
