WITH LINDA AT MY SIDE AND GPS IN HAND, we started off on our search to find our next geo-cache. It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm, fall morning this past Monday as we set off into Henry Cowell State Park to find the geo-cache called, “Eagle Creek Bridge.”

Having hiked all over Henry Cowell I knew exactly where the bridge was. It didn’t matter that our GPS (Global Positioning System) said we were over 300 feet (as the crow flies) from the stated location of the hidden cache; I knew this was the bridge being referred to.

Alas, the cache was not there. OK, let’s trust the GPS and the written clues. Ah, there’s a smaller bridge, but it’s even farther off course. Keep trusting the GPS. There, over there, it’s a bridge of trees over the creek, and look, there’s a great hiding place, but the GPS still pointed farther down the path, and around the corner, but I know it’s got to be right here, this would be such a great place to hide the cache.

After more searching, back to trusting the GPS. There! Look! It’s a bigger tree bridge, with trees overhead, just like the clue said. And yes, there we found the cache, hidden “under” the bridge. Both GPS and clues were right. But, I already knew that!

Spiritual lesson? Sure!

God has given us a Holy GPS, the Bible. Follow it’s direction and it will lead you right to the place you are supposed to be, and to do what you’re supposed to do. But, too often we say, “But I know this is the right way to go, and if I just take this little detour I’ll find what I’m looking for.” Or, “I know God’s Word says to do this, but I know this is the real way to make things work.” The reality is, we need to trust God’s knowing, not ours. The treasure has been placed, the coordinates have been set, and all we have to do is trust and obey. If not, we may end up at a bridge too far.

Cache on!