Google Maps

For those who are not familiar with the wonderful capabilities of the internet in general, and “Googlemaps” specifically, the word “googlemaps” might seem to be nothing more than “gibberish.”  Before the days of personal computers, internet service, and the world-wide-web we relied on printed material to help us navigate the highways, city streets, and locate folks we wanted to visit.  A good Rand McNally map was an essential tool to those wishing to make a long road trip.  For those needing to locate a particular city street one could obtain a “key map” to help navigate about larger cities like Houston or Dallas.  In the small country towns one need only stop and ask directions; most residents were not only willing, but even anxious to help you out.  Then there were the Yellow Pages, White Pages, and ‘cross-reference’ address books provided by ‘Ma-bell that would provide the specifics of someone’s address, phone, etc. With these three tools one could be fairly certain that he could get from one destination to another without too much hassle, or locate a specific individual or family. 

We move now to the 21st Century.  With the personal computer, we can “log-on” and, using any good search tool, we can find any number of “helps” in our search for an address, person, directions, et al.  My favorite is “googlemaps.”  With a few “point and click” maneuvers, proper “data-in,” and the punch of a button or click of a mouse, “googlemaps” will give you the directions from your address to the front door of your desired destiny.   There are other tools to help you find people, vacation spots, email addresses, or phone numbers.  The list is endless.  The bottom line is this:  if someone wants to find you, you cannot hide. 

Before the days of computers, the internet, and the world wide web; before ever a Rand McNally map was printed; before the existence of key-maps, telephone books, or social security numbers, it might have been possible to find some little isolated spot on the globe and become a hermit.  But despite all the efforts of an individual, he could not, and cannot, hide from God.  The Psalmist wrote, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?  Or whither shall I flee thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee” (Psa. 139:7-12). 

There might yet remain a remote possibility that you could hide yourself from men.  But no matter where you go, God still knows where you are; and He does not need “googlemaps” to find you!