By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
As I was heading to my weekly Bible study one morning, I came across a detour sign that blocked my usual path. Torrential rains from the night before caused tributaries to overflow, creating some local flooding.
I realize that detour signs are intended to keep people from danger, but all I could think about was how much of an inconvenience this was going to be for me. For a split second, I was tempted to go around the sign and take my chances. That could have been a huge mistake—maybe even a life threatening one. And yet, because I was in a hurry to get where I was going, I was enticed to disregard the clearly marked sign and go my own way.
“Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” (Proverbs 4:26)
I wonder how many times in life I have disregarded the Holy Spirit’s detour signs, simply because I was in a hurry to get somewhere. Probably more times than I care to admit.
God sees our entire path. He sees the beginning, the end, and everything between.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Is God leading you down an unexpected path? What seems like a major inconvenience at the time, may actually become the very avenue through which God’s tremendous blessings flow.
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” (Psalm 119:35)
Although our journey through life presents many roads of choice, we are wise to remember, not all of them are safe. God will direct our steps towards His good and perfect will. As we seek the Lord with all our heart, may we heed the Spirit’s warnings and stay on God’s straight and narrow path. It’s by far the safest place to be.
