Detours. Love them or hate them, they are a fact of life. I despise seeing those orange signs because they feel like a nuisance and a diversion sent to slow me down and prevent me from reaching my destination. One of my greatest frustrations with detours is the fact that I’m terrible with directions. There is always this innate fear that I’m going to miss a sign and get myself lost in some unknown countryside. Years ago my wife and I decided to purchase a home for our eventual retirement. I know what you’re thinking; it seems ridiculous since I’m (still) only 29 😉 We decided on this one house we both loved and went back to the real estate agent’s office to begin the paperwork. From the beginning to the end of the process we were plagued with problems. First, the agent couldn’t get the wireless keyboard or mouse to work. Then, for 15 minutes he was unable to log into the system. Once he got into the system he was unable to get into the specific file for the house we were interested in. This went on for about 30 minutes. At one point I turned to my wife and gave her a knowing look. She looked at me with stern eyes and quietly mouthed, “Stop it!” I simply shrugged my shoulders and gave her another look that relayed my realization that something was going on. When the information came onto the screen someone else had just placed a contract on the house in the minutes leading up to our multiple failed attempts to do the same. With disappointment we shrugged it off and continued our search. Weeks later we chose a house that we liked even better and signed the papers. Fast forward three years – we knew some things were shifting in our personal lives and both felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to place our retirement home (our future, if you will) back on the market. While we loved the home we felt once again the Holy Spirit was at work so we obeyed. In eleven days there was a contract taken out on the house. After all was said and done we received, almost to the dollar, the exact amount back that we had put into it. Coincidence? I don’t think so. God used this particular instance to remind me of the importance of following the Holy Spirit’s leading even when I’m unsure where I’m going.
A friend recently reminded me of a story in Acts 28 and how the Apostle Paul and others became shipwrecked forcing a stop on the island of Malta. No doubt Paul’s itinerary didn’t include this unexpected stop yet, because of this detour, the gospel was spread, many were healed, and souls were won for the kingdom. My friend stated, “I am learning that I should never be so stubbornly locked into my plans that I miss God’s surprises.” Just because something feels like a detour doesn’t mean it is one. That could have been God’s plan all along. The problem arises when we create and use our own maps/itineraries rather than getting His input on the direction for our lives. Those side roads can be frustrating but can lead to many beautiful things we wouldn’t have normally seen/experienced.
Closing remarks and encouragement: There are many lessons to be learned along the journey. Take solace and know that, just as it’s mentioned in Exodus 23:20, He is always sending…“ an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I [He] has prepared. God specializes in making the crooked places straight and placing detours in our plans. We would all be better off if we just consider those unexpected twists and turns as the ‘scenic route’ and just enjoyed the trip. It’s my prayer we all can find joy in journeys of life.
Have a blessed week, my friends!