Recalculating

Using one of those GPS gizmos has re-acquainted me with the word "recalculating." En route to a particular destination, as detailed by the GPS, I've sometimes wanted to make a brief detour to stop for gas or use a fast-food drive-thru. Once in a while, I've even known a better way to get where I want to be than the gadget prescribed. In such instances the little person in the GPS pipes up: "Recalculating!" That is, the inference is that I've made a mistake and the beleaguered mini-computer will have to rack its brain to get me back on track. Once I confused the thing so much it wouldn't speak to me for quite a while!

It occurred to me that life is, for many of us, a series of recalculations. We may have a sense of going in a generally acceptable direction, but there are multiple stops and turns and changes of mind. Circumstances change. Family situations, job responsibilities, health -- all these factors and more present us with daily challenges. With the beginning of a new year, indeed a new decade, comes the inevitable question about whether or not we're heading in the right direction with our lives.

The thing is, the concept of God's grace is all about recalculating. As long as we have breath, we have the opportunity to turn again to God, to recalculate (by God's grace) from where we are to where we need to be.