Acacia trees dotted the grassy plains as far as I could see. Our Maasai guide, Jacob, explained that the 580 square mile preserve is named the Maasai Mara Preserve in honor of his people who have called the area home for centuries and for the spotted look of the plains from the trees and shrubs. Mara means “spotted” in Maasai.

Suddenly, the 2-way radio in the Land Cruiser crackled to life with his brother’s voice speaking excitedly in Maasai (his brother is also a safari guide) and Jacob raced off in a new direction calling out to us in English that lions had been spotted. We were headed to find them.

I marveled at how Jacob knew where he was going, as we bounced along rocky dirt roads and crossed boulder studded rivers in our Land Cruiser. Brilliant, iridescently colored birds flew beside us. He didn’t have a map or GPS, and everything looked the same to me. When I asked him about this, Jacob pointed to his head and responded, “Internal GPS.” For someone who doesn’t have a strong sense of direction and who can get lost in places I’ve been a dozen times, I immediately envied his internal GPS. Then it dawned on me. I do have internal GPS. It’s called the Holy Spirit and it helps me navigate the landscape of life.

This same thought came to me again as I walked through the narrow, twisting streets of Stone Town, the old city of Zanzibar. How easily I could get lost here if not for my friend and guide who used to live in Nairobi and has been to Stone Town many times. How easily I could get “lost” in life without my friend and guide Jesus beside me.

As we look forward to the hope of Easter, may we remember and find comfort in having internal GPS with the Holy Spirit and a friend and shepherd in Jesus who can guide us no matter where we find ourselves in life and how lost we feel. Let us walk forth with faith that no matter what lies ahead, God goes before us.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

This post asks us the question, who will be your guide and friend next week during Holy Week?

Shared by Patricia Wu