Written by Kristi Huseby
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)
In Michigan we jokingly say that there are two seasons – winter and road construction! With road construction come detours and lots of them. Can I just say . . . I hate detours! They’re inconvenient, unplanned and usually make me late! (Mainly, that’s because of poor planning on my part but it’s great to have something else to blame.)
I don’t like detours in my life anymore than I like them on the roadways. Detours have a way of making me feel like my life is spinning out of control. I often find myself holding my breath when this happens, hoping the damage will be minimal and everything will stop spinning soon.
Detours have a way of reminding me that I’m not in control. In my reading of the book of Acts, I was struck by Paul’s reactions to detours in his life (and he had a lot of them). Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians when he faced his first detour and met Jesus. Paul had his plans but God had other plans. Paul readily accepted the journey change and his life was never the same again. He wholeheartedly embraced the path that God had for him.
From then on we see a Paul that holds his own agenda lightly and willingly accepts each detour that is sent his way. He was thrown in jail and forgotten for two years but that didn’t hinder him from preaching the gospel. He was shipwrecked and instead of twiddling his thumbs and waiting around for God to get him off the Island, he shared the Good News with those who lived there. It’s as if, each detour in Paul’s life was a “billboard” from God clearly showing him where he should go and what he should do.
I’ve often wished that God would be so clear and direct with me. There have been many times where I’ve exclaimed, “God would you just make it clear what you want me to do and I’ll do it! Could you send me a postcard or write on a billboard so that I’ll know?” But taking a fresh look at Paul’s life I’ve realized something. Just as detours were God’s “billboard” in Paul’s life, so they are in mine.
Instead of wishing my detours away, I should embrace them!
Let me ask you, what if your detours are God’s way of telling you that you’ve controlled things long enough and now it’s time to pry your hands off the wheel? What if they are His “billboard” to you? Are you resisting His direction in your life and wasting precious time wanting things done your way or are you accepting His plan and following wherever that might take you?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)
Let go, jump in, embrace the detours and hold on tight – you’re in for a spectacular ride!
God, It’s so easy for me to slip back into the driver’s seat of my life. Help me to remember that Your ways are so much higher than mine. Remind me that when I try to take control what I’m really doing it telling You that I don’t trust You. I do trust You and I know that You are trustworthy. Help me to live like I believe that. Amen
Question: Can you think of a time when God gave you a detour? How did you respond? How would you respond to a detour in the future?
Kristi Huseby
Kristi is mom to four boys (two of which are in the military). She’s been married to her husband Harold for 26 years and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kristi is women’s ministry director at their church and much of her time is filled with leading and training women in studying God’s Word. Kristi believes in the power of stories. Jesus used stories in a powerful way to impact people’s lives. His illustrations helped listeners come to see the truth in a new light – to realize their own struggles and grab a hold of God’s love and ability to change lives. She has led retreats and Bible studies and is available to speak to your women’s group. Check out her blog at Check out her bloghttp://www.brokenandredeemed-kristi.blogspot.com .
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