Recently I came across a detour in the city of Peterborough, Ontario, 30 minutes from my home. Since I was not late for an appointment and not tired yet, the detour did not upset me. Actually it was delightful, taking me through a residential neighbourhood that I have always loved, but hadn’t driven through in ages. I was so happy to be there. Some detours are like that, delightful!
Others, not so much. This past spring I was on my way to a conference which was about a two hour drive from here. I was not looking forward to the conference (I am an introvert), I had a deadline, and I came across an unexpected detour that took me way out of my way. I was upset, uptight, and angry. It took me a while to recover.
Are you like that? Some detours are better than others.
The Bible is full of stories about people’s lives who were forced to take detours. Think of Noah? My goodness, that boat trip was not in his plans. And then Joseph, could he have imagined what was going to happen to him that day out in the fields with his brothers? Would he ever have predicted that they would throw him in a pit and leave him for dead? And yet God brought good out of it.
And so it is not the detour itself, but how we react to it that counts. I have to work on that I guess. But I am so thankful that my God does not change. When I learn how to get to him and where to find him one day, I am not surprised by being forced to find him in a different way.
I can always count on him to be where he says he is. Here, there and everywhere! He is always there. He doesn’t move, we do. ‘Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever’. Hebrews 13:8) My Bible tells me so. Our God is the one ‘who is and was and is to come…’ (Revelations 1:8) My Bible tells me so.
How about you? Hit any detours lately? Are you facing an unexpected delay or change in your plans? How are you dealing with that? Do you have a scripture that helps you when your life is disrupted?
One of my go-to scriptures, which you will hear me quote often is “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble….” Psalm 46:1 My Bible tells me so. Maybe it will help you too, or maybe you will be inspired to find your own personal scripture.
Maybe jumping into God’s word today should be your detour from other plans you might have?
Don’t give up.