GPS is a beautiful thing.
Real Simple did evaluations of driving apps and reported on the top five apps for driving directions.
Google Maps, Motion X, and Waze topped their list.
Most of us have Google Maps – a no frills app that has easy-to-read routes and live, color-coded traffic conditions . . . AND it talks to you with clarity and ease of understanding! It even throws in some nice Zagat reviews of restaurants, right on the apps, you know – just in case you get hungry.
But another app offers so much more . . . especially for those of us who sometimes forget things.
Motion X GPS Drive takes note of your parking spot, audibly directing you back to your car when you’re ready to roll.
When I read about this bonus as a part of this app, I was SOLD!
The TIME I could/would save if I did not have to wander aimlessly around trying to remember where I parked my car.
I was almost sold on downloading this newfound “gem” until I realized there was a cost associated with it!
The third app that was especially noteworthy was Waze. Lately, it seems Scott doesn’t travel anywhere if he doesn’t have Waze open on his phone.
What is most interesting about this traffic/directional app is that it is community based.
It relies on users to provide info on traffic jams, accidents, and more. You automatically contribute data, such as the average speed on a given road, just by driving and then if you see a police officer, an accident, debris on the road, etc. you confirm it by tapping a “thumbs up” icon
One of the biggest surprises is that Waze learns your preferred routes to repeated destinations and guides you using those routes instead of its own.
So, why is today’s devotion a “review” on driving apps?
Check out these words from Hosea,
Divine love
11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more I called them,
the further they went from me;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals,
and they burned incense to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up in my arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them
with bands of human kindness,
with cords of love.
I treated them like those
who lift infants to their cheeks;
I bent down to them and fed them.
We are all on a journey in our lives.
Unfortunately, it is a journey that has a lot of missed turns, wrong destinations, and sometimes, maybe even often times – we run out of gas on the way.
We feel as if we are traveling this journey alone, with no direction.
But – we can also remember that we are not alone.
We are led.
As Hosea tells the people of Israel, “God leads you with bands of human kindness. With cords of love.”
We are led always by love. So even if we encounter parts of our journey that are dead ends, or wrong turns, or if we run out of steam along the way, just know . . . we are not alone. God is with us – that is the message of the Christ-child at Christmas.
Emmanuel – God with us.