I am a planner. I like to map out my day, including my trips and what I plan to eat for the day. When I am driving, I do not like detours, yet detours and road signs are a part of driving. They are everywhere. In the past, I have had detours that were supposed to connect me to my original route, but when I took them, I had no idea where I was.
On one such occasion years ago, I was driving across the country to visit my sons. My husband was going to be going on a hunting trip out west for two weeks. I was excited to have the opportunity to visit one of my sons in Kentucky and the other in Missouri. We lived in Pennsylvania, but I had no fear of traveling alone. I liked adventure, and I was packed and ready.
After visiting with my first son, I headed to Missouri. I had my route mapped out and had plenty of time to arrive before it got dark. Before I could get out of the state of Kentucky, a lady hit my car. It was a fender-bender, but it had to be reported. Therefore, I lost an hour and a half of daylight. I proceeded on my route. Before I had gone 10 minutes out of the city, there was a detour sign, and I had no choice but to follow. The road I was travelling on was almost deserted. I now realized I needed to fuel up if I was going to make it all the way. After about an hour, I began to pray Lord, please let me find a gas station. There was no cell reception on this road, and I saw no homes, streetlights, or gas stations. At this point, a huge thunderstorm started. All I could see was the taillights of an 18-wheeler truck. All I could do was stay close and follow. I had my Christian music blaring, and I was leaning over the steering wheel, praying as I tried to stay close behind this truck. Just when I was about to panic, the song There Will Come A Day started playing. The song told the story of how Jesus was coming back one day, and none of the things we strive about will matter anymore. I sang along and let the words sink deep in my soul. Just when I felt complete peace, the truck turned on its turn signal. A gas station seemed to appear out of nowhere. I refueled and continued my journey following the truck, but with complete peace. Not because I finally found gas or because I could see the truck’s taillights, but because I was trusting in the power and love of my God.
What did I learn from these detours and road signs?
First, I need to follow Jesus closely at all times. This world is full of things that Satan will use to try and trip me up, but the closer I follow Jesus, the easier it will be to navigate successfully. There are 21 verses in the New Testament where Jesus says, “Follow me.” He has the perfect map for our lives, and He alone knows the future. I must choose to follow Him closely. To follow closely I must deny myself and seek him as in Matthew 16:24. If I follow closely I will be where He is as in John 12:26, and if I He is my Shepherd I will follow closely. The closer I follow, the less likely I am to stumble and fall. It is also unlikely that I will make wrong turns in life. I am to follow and imitate Him.
Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”
John 10:26 “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.”
Second, if I want to spend eternity with Him, I must read and follow the directions of His roadmap for my life. The Bible leaves no doubt as to how we are to live our lives. In II Timothy, He teaches us to study His word. The roadmap to eternity and successful living on earth is in the book.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The third thing I learned from my trip was that no matter how dark and scary life may be, Jesus is always with me. He will provide all I need to safely find my way through this life.
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
The last thing I learned is that God is always in control. His sovereignty already knew the struggle I would face. He provided the truck to follow, the gas station, and the song to comfort and guide me. He even provided the detour and road signs to teach me to trust. While I was still miles from my destination, I had no fear or doubt that everything was and would remain okay, because He was in charge and already knew the end.
He wants us to trust Him, and when we do, he will pour out blessings as we have never thought about before. I truly experienced Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Through the years, I have learned to accept detours as a journey God has planned. I now anticipate them with peace and joy for what He is going to do.
