When life doesn’t go the way you’ve planned, remember God is our guide. Rest in the assurance of His plan for your life. Have you ever become frustrated because the plans you’ve made fell through? Does life seem to take you on unforeseen twists and turns? One thing is certain in life. We can trust God’s sovereignty. His plans will never fail.
Unexpected Detour
This spring I decided to visit my daughter in New Hampshire. I packed everything in a backpack and headed to the Asheville airport. The highways near Asheville seem to always be under construction. So, I made sure to give myself extra time. I was thankful I did. Just as I was nearing the airport exit, there was an unforeseen detour. It took me out and around my destination which added fifteen minutes to my trip. It was stressful. However, I finally made it to the airport safely and with plenty of time.
Types of Detours
There is one thing about the highway of life and that is at some point we will run into a detour. There are at least three types of detours. First, there is the “Someone made me go this way” detour which usually gets us lost for a bit. Then there is the “I made a wrong turn” which causes us to do a U-turn or find a different way to get back on the highway. The last detour we usually find in a construction area. The sign says detour and we follow. Just like the detour I took to the airport. Regardless, we know God is our guide through these detours.
Other’s Decisions
Many times, the decisions of others detour our lives onto a route we didn’t expect. Let’s take a quick look at Daniel for example. The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hands. Eventually, King Darius took over the kingdom and ordered Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den for disobeying the king’s decree (Daniel 6). After the Lord closed the mouths of the lions, Daniel was found unharmed the next day. King Darius ordered the nation to fear and revere Daniel’s God. Then there is Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his brothers in Genesis 37. I’m sure he never expected to be a slave in another country let alone by the hands of his brothers. He was also jailed unfairly for two years. However, God used this detour to save a nation from famine. Our detour could look like an unfaithful spouse or unexpected divorce papers. It could also be an unexpected move because of a job loss. These detours in life are not caused by us but by someone else’s decisions. During these times we must hold on to the sovereignty of God and trust His plan. He’s working even when we don’t understand.
Wrong Decisions
The next detour is due to the wrong decisions we make. For instance, Moses killed an Egyptian and fled to Midian to hide (Exodus 2). However, while hiding, he encountered a burning bush in the desert. Here, God told Moses to get the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery. Even though Moses had sinned God used him greatly. What about Jonah? He blatantly disobeyed God’s command. It almost got an entire ship’s crew killed. Also, Jonah nearly drowned, but God saved him and still used him to save a nation.
Our detour could be drug addiction which causes a multitude of issues, or pornography addiction which could lead to marital problems. It could even be disobedience to what we know God has called us to do. These and other things eventually catch up to us and can cause a major detour in our lives. However, no matter our wrong decisions, God can still use us. He is our redeemer and guide when we turn to Him.
God’s Detours
Finally, there are some times on the highway of life, when God throws up a detour sign. He asked Abraham to leave his family and move across the country (Genesis 12:1-3) God used Abraham to start a new nation. In Matthew 4:18 Jesus called to James and John to follow Him. They went from being simple fishermen to being disciples of Jesus. Now that’s a detour! How about Saul’s detour? Nothing like a flash of light to blind you and the voice of the Lord to detour you from persecuting Christians to becoming one (Acts 9). There is also Ruth who was widowed. Boaz fell in love with Ruth and married her (Ruth 2). She is found in the lineage of Jesus (Ruth4:13-22). For us, this type of detour could be the death of a spouse, losing the dream of having a biological child, or losing a college scholarship. Things we have no power over may detour our dreams and can be devastating. We must hold on to the promise,” …that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
God is Our Guide
Regardless of how, why, or even where our detours take us, we need to trust God and His plans. If I hadn’t taken the detour on the way to the airport, who knows what would have happened? Maybe a pavement issue would have torn up my car, or I could have plummeted off a bridge. It’s important to remember Proverb 3:5-6 which tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” God allows detours in our lives whether they are from other’s mistakes, our own, or by His design. However, no matter the reason, they are not a surprise to God. He already has a plan to use them for His purpose and glory. We can trust God as our guide through life. If you would like more encouragement in trusting God, read my blog post God is Our Rescuer – Relax, Don’t Panic.
Challenge: Are you going through a detour? Pray and ask the Lord to guide you. Ask Him to make the way clear to you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
How have you seen God work during your detours in life? Share with me in the comment section below.
Know that God is our guide.
