Detour

Proverbs 4:10-15
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. [11] I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. [12] When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. [13] Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
[14] Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
[15] Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

As we 'drive' through life often times we are faced with 'detour signs'. These signs are presented to us in different forms. We may be rejected by someone, we may be told 'No' when we were sure the answer would be 'Yes', maybe 'things' just don't work out the way we expected them to. How do we react? If you are like me, we may find ourselves reacting as though something was taken away from us that we were supposed to have. We had things all 'planned'. The step by step details had been worked out in our minds and we knew just what was 'supposed' to happen. Then one day we are driving along and - Oops!- a detour sign. Hey, that's not supposed to be there! I 'have' to go that way! I 'need' to go that way!

Have you prayed and asked God to 'take control'? Have you asked Him to take over the 'driver's seat' - to guide and direct you? I know I have. And yet too many times when I have been faced with an unexpected 'detour sign' in my life I saw it as an barrier to overcome - an annoying roadblock causing my plans to go off track! Then Father asked me - "Have you ever considered that I may have said 'No'?" My mind wanted to say "Well, sure - I know that." But honestly - in many situations of everyday life I had not considered that. Oh, the big things, sure, I expected His direction then. But the small daily decisions and relationship issues I had to admit were planned by me. And I expected certain things to happen. When things didn't go according to 'plan' - well - I didn't even think God cared about those tiny little details. He does care! About everything - when I ask Him to guide me - He will guide me in ALL areas of my life. I am learning with each situation that a rejection - or a disappointment - or a simple 'No' - may be His 'detour sign' protecting me from a hazardous road ahead.

You know the good thing about detour signs is that in most cases there are signs very nearby that will point out the good road. These signs will continue - every so often - as you travel through the detour route until you are returned to the original route you were following. Sometimes they seem longer than necessary - another road may seem to be a better choice, but one thing is certain - if you follow the signs you will get to the road you want. Turning off on a side road may get you there - it may be shorter - but, what did you miss? Did you run into more road work - more difficulties?

We so often say - "If only God would give me a sign." He probably has - we just were too caught up in the 'planned' route that we never saw it as we went speeding by. They say "Stop and smell the roses." I suggest that we stop and read the signs along life's road - expecting our God who has promised to lead us and show us the right paths - to do just that!