Going the Distance

Today I set back Eqyptian-American relationships by about two centuries. I was leaving my doctor's office and heading to my car when an Arab couple with a small child stopped me on the sidewalk to ask directions. They spoke very little English. I did make out that they had taken a bus to that location.

But they had a mapquest map with directions to where they were going. Nowhere did the sheet list the name of the place they were going—just the address. I asked what kind of business it was, and they could not tell me. Undaunted, I escorted them to my car and told them I would take them there. Showing great faith,they got in. (I had no car seat for the little girl. Surely, God would protect us!)

If you don't know Nashville, you would assume this address would be easy to find. However, it was right smack dab in the middle of the Baptist Hospital complex, which has grown like Topsy over the years. The street they were looking for dead-ends at the Baptist complex and then resumes. But, then, who knew?

After about 15 minutes of driving around, the man finally asked to be let out of my car. I knew I could not leave them where I had found them, so despite his protests—and by now having discovered the problem—I soldiered on. We came to a doctor's office building with the long-sought-after address, and I let them out. I don't know which of us was more grateful!

Finding your way in a city full of dead-ins reminds me of the many dead-ends on the narrow way to God's house. Short-lived pleasure, sinful habits, procrastination, bitterness, unforgiveness—the list goes on. Fortunately, we have a mapquest to heaven. It's printed in the Bible in John chapter 3 verse 16. And we have the Holy Spirit to guide us the distance. Thank you, Lord, for providing the Way!