Driving around the city I live in lately has become a source of frustration and a testing of patience. I think even Job would’ve had a tough time! It seems like every road you turn down, you are faced with a bright orange detour sign, directing you to “roads less traveled.”
If that wasn’t bad enough, the highways and byways are also under construction, bringing traffic to a crawl. It’s enough to make you want to throw away your car keys and shout “Wake me up when it’s over!”
Sometimes when we are going through periods of transition, it can feel like our lives are a construction zone. We take a step forward in one direction, only to hit a roadblock and have to go another route. While eventually we will get to our destination, the path is not always straight nor smooth.
Since being laid off nearly ten years ago, I’ve been down many roads and detours trying to find the right pathway to God’s plans for my life. Yes, I know the high calling but the how, when, and where have eluded me.
The other day, I listened to a profound teaching that shed some light on this situation. (To listen, click here.) Perhaps it is the detours that contain the lessons and growth, not the happy trails. Perhaps it is not the external achievements that will make the most impact, but the internal changes that will have a lasting and eternal impact.
When we look at many of the people in the Bible, their situations were no different than mine, and perhaps yours as well. No one “sailed through life” on a puffy cloud. Each had their trials to bear and eventually overcome. Each serves as great examples of perseverance, resilience, and eventual success in fulfilling God’s plans and purposes.
Even Jesus experienced a trial or two. Betrayals from His besties, rejection by His people, temptations from Satan himself. Any one of these might’ve sent Him packing. But they didn’t. Why?
From day one, Jesus knew the plan and purpose of His life and He spoke it out loud every chance He got.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18 NKJV, Isaiah 61:1)
Also, Jesus knew Scripture inside and out. He continually quoted it when faced with His accusers, including Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus also spent a great deal of time in prayer (Matthew 26:36-46) fellowshipping with His Father, saying and doing what He heard and saw His Father saying and doing (John 5:19).
If Jesus is our example of how to live this life, then wouldn’t it behoove us to do what He did when we face trials and detours that threaten our sanity? Of course!
He laid out a simple three-step plan:
- Read the Bible to discover God’s purpose and plan for your life.
- Speak God’s Word whenever a detour comes your way.
- Pray without ceasing; talk to God as much as possible.
Truthfully, we are all under construction while we live out our lives on planet earth. Yet, if we want to rise from the ashes, better than we were pre-construction, let’s do what Jesus did.
If anyone can get you through the detours of life, Jesus can.
P.S. If you’re looking to discover God’s purpose and plans for your life, watch or listen to the Elevate The Day Podcast, “There’s A Blueprint For Your Life.”