Road closed, orange cones, barricades, do not enter signs. Sometimes these road warnings will cause you to depart from your continuing or usual route. The detour can be long or short, and sometimes it can be a headache, particularly when unexpected!
ROAD SIGNS
Of all the road signs, road closed is the worst for me because usually, it will say, take an alternate route. I don’t particularly like driving, but it helps me to get from point A to B. So the alternate route can often be the long scenic route. But I am also what I call “directionally challenged,” that is, I get lost easily! I call it a gift! Even in a state and city, I’ve lived in most of my life.
Before I had a vehicle navigation system (GPS), my best friend was it. I often called her for directions or the best alternate route while driving or before I hit the road.
She knew I had direction challenges, so she always used signposts to help. I.e., when you turn the corner, in about a block, on your left, you will see a red brick building on the corner, make a right turn, and there it is next to the donut shop with the yellow awning.
DETOURS
DETOUR = a deviation, departure, or diversion from a direct course or the usual procedure; a roundabout way temporarily replacing part of a route.
Detours can be tricky for me anyway. Because they can lead you into unfamiliar areas or roads, remember I have a gift for getting lost. You can see signs that say turn right, turn left, arrows, curve ahead, roundabout, etc. All of which can cause confusion and agitation.
“If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you. It will say, “This is the right way. You should go this way.” (Isa. 30:21)
SETBACKS
Detours, as in life journeys, can sometimes be called a setback. Setbacks can appear suddenly, much like road signs. However, unlike road signs that let you know a detour is coming and simultaneously direct you to where you can pick up your route again, setbacks usually cause us to stop. The stopping should cause us to reexamine the road we’ve taken.
PERSPECTIVE
“We are confident that God is able to orchestrate (arrange, bring about, put together) everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” (Rom. 8:28)
Be it road signs, detours, a setback, or all three we face in life at once, I know that when God is my Navigator, my result is good. Because He says, He has declared the end and the result from the beginning (Isa. 46:10)
GOD’S DIVINE PLAN WILL INCLUDE ROAD SIGNS, DETOURS, AND SETBACKS
As I look back at my life journey, it can resemble a zigzag pattern, or as I often say, it’s like dots for a puzzle. Although at the time, the “zigzagging” didn’t make sense, and the dots weren’t connecting. However, in hindsight, I see where the zigzagging was going and what the dots were connecting! It was and is about His Purpose and Plan.
When I hit a setback, a delay, disappointing as it may be, I think about God’s timing and whose plan it is.
“People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord’s plan will happen.” (Prov.19:21)
Life is a journey; thank you for walking mine with me. May The Lord Bless you and keep you safe.
Sincerely,
Jacqui
