Those maps severed us well. We used them on the second day of travel when the traffic on the Interstate in Iowa that day was heavy and stressful. This was a good thing because we drove on the Lincoln Highway and had time to see the beauty of Iowa. There was such beauty in the simplicity of bright blue skies, fluffy clouds, and green fields.
Using both paper maps and GPS continued to serve us well for all but one day of our trip. In South Dakota it was the stop at the welcome center and the explanation of the information agent that told us about new places to see and showed us those on the map. We used the advice and saw some things we hadn’t planned.
The one day that maps failed us was at the end of the trip. We had the GPS but very limited cell service. It was a Sunday and the welcome center in Nebraska was closed so we couldn’t get a paper map. We are still not sure what we did wrong but we ended up driving for 50-100 miles longer then we had planned. It was a long, hard day. We did see some beautiful scenery, so having a GPS map was better then not having anything to guide us.
At the most difficult times in my life God’s word that I have memorized has come to me. I have decided that I need to continue to work on memorizing scripture. So that like the psalmist I want to hid “your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11. The more you know something the more you will use it.
As I have grown older, I have learned to use the work of scholars in the study of God’s word - and this is even more amazing now since I can use my iPad and easily access many versions and commentaries electronically. Studying God’s word with the help of others, just like the worker who helped us at the South Dakota welcome center helps me to see and understand God’s word. Paul mentored Timothy with this advice from 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
May God's word become more dear to me and to you as we continue to learn new lessons.