From an article in the New York Times, about the internal GPS in Joplin … “These days, even Joplinites have trouble navigating their transformed city. Mayor Woolston, for example, grew up in Joplin, went to a local middle school (now damaged), went to the local high school (now destroyed), left for a career in the military and returned more than two decades ago. He knows Joplin — or knew it.
“Particularly at night, but also during the daytime, areas that you’ve gone through thousands of times — you just don’t recognize,” Mr. Woolston said. “I have to stop and get my bearings to realize where I am at, simply because everything is just completely altered.”
None of us can imagine what Joplin feels like today, a place where the old familiar landmarks are often no more, where you cannot always comprehend where you stand. That is such a powerful metaphor for our lives and for the power of our faith.
We have an inherent GPS that guides us, though we may not always listen. We have values and beliefs as our landmarks, though we may not always live them. We have ways to navigate life in our hearts, though fear and sorrow and stubbornness may cloud our way. We may in fact have to stop and get our bearings ... but know that He is there waiting to guide our way. His cross is our guide, and especially in our inner and outer turmoil.
May the people of Joplin ... and all of us ... be guided, through our darkest nights, to Him who gives us the peace we need in times of both trouble and joy. I pray every day for the people of Joplin.
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