An Audible (05/05/2025)

Yesterday, as we drove back home from the wedding up north, my son sat in the front seat next to his father, the driver, supposedly serving as the navigator. But almost immediately, my son started pressing buttons and switching screens and discovering all the things he could do, and ask, and find. And he’d excitedly share his new findings with his father as they discovered their capabilities with the car. Finally, my son turned around and asked me, “Did you know you could hit this button to find a Kwik Trip nearby?” and I smiled and said, “I did, but I never do that.” He asked my why, to which I responded, “Because it’s easier to just hit the audible button and say, “Find the closest Kwik Trip.”

Those two were stunned. They weren’t even aware of the audible button that one can use to tell the car to do multiple tasks. And they spent the next few miles trying it out. I just sat in the back thrilled at the free entertainment for those two. But it also made me think of my own life and the similarities.

I often try to figure out how I can do things by myself. I do my research, I consult the owner’s manual, if you will, and try to accomplish things by myself. But there are times when I have found that nothing goes quite as well as the audible – simply asking the LORD for guidance. Why, I wonder, do we so insist on doing it ourselves?

The LORD calls us to act lovingly in this world, to make a difference using our gifts, our talents, our time, our treasure. We often struggle with decisions, wanting direction. I have been watching our current fascination with AI. Why are we so easily talked into utilizing “artificial intelligence” and yet still remain so hesitant and resistant to utilizing Wisdom and Intelligence personified, the very source of all intelligence, our loving and ever-present LORD?

Our journeys are unique and at the same time they share some commonalities. Each of us bring unique gifts and talents to unique challenges and quests. But each of us also have access to our all-loving and ever-present LORD. The secret to the journey, I am finding out after more than 7 decades of being on “the Way” is to seek the LORD’s will and help and then use our gifts and talents to make the journey.

As we go forward, let us commit to audibly seeking the LORD’s help by first seeking the LORD’s will for us. Let us never hesitate to call out to the LORD when we are in need knowing that the LORD hears our cries, our prayers, our needs.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.