Detour Ahead
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3-6
Detours are not always welcome especially when we are already running a little behind schedule. Granted we get to see more of the local countryside, but seldom does that improve our stress levels. We watch the clock on the dash and try to figure out how we can make up the time. Usually, we can’t!
Just for a moment, imagine that the detour is not an attempt to mess up our day. What if it is actually part of God’s plan? What if there is a lesson to be learned as we are forced to follow the string of cars in front of us through unfamiliar back roads? Too often we find ourselves huffing and puffing as we silently pray that the drivers ahead know the way.
Exhale, settle, and center. Perhaps He is trying to show us something that could save or at least change our life. His way prevails. We must detour at the sign with the flagman wildly gesturing to turn. The orange road cones are blocking any other way unless we turn around and go home.
Picture that flagman as a dear friend who is telling us that we can’t go any farther on this road. Watching the flag person brings about thoughts of compassion especially in the brutal heat of summer or the bitter cold winter. Actually, they are life savers! They tell us that the main road is not safe for us and we will get hurt if we proceed. For those people, we must give thanks.
When nothing looks familiar, are we full of apprehension or curiosity? Sadly, most of us become uneasy especially if we are already directionally challenged. Yet, we have the best Navigator known to mankind! Are we relying on Him in those upsetting moments? Do we hear His voice affirming His Presence? Exhale, settle, and center!
Be on the lookout for blessings and beauty. He loves to slow us down to see His creation. A good detour is just what we need when we spend too much time in the fast lane.
Loving Lord, thank You for detours and friendly flagmen who speak into our lives. Help us to see our course changes as an act of Your love. AMEN