I didn’t expect it yesterday and I definitely didn’t expect it again today – but there it was, again – the detour. The road was blocked. I couldn’t get through. I would have to find another way to get to my destination. Maybe not a huge problem for people with GPS, which is most everyone, actually. But for me, being GPSless, and in unfamiliar territory, an unexpected detour is a problem.

Being forced to make a quick decision, I turned left, no longer heading toward my destination, no longer in familiar territory. Searching for the first opportunity to turn right and head again in my desired direction, I found no such opportunity for quite some distance. When I did finally turn, I felt like I was pretty far off course. I was driving by a large park, which I entered at the next turn, promptly becoming even more lost, if that is possible? Are there degrees of lost? Can you be only a little lost as opposed to completely lost? At any rate, I didn’t know which way to take to get me back on the road I was on originally – the road that would eventually lead me to my desired destination.

But at least my surroundings were beautiful. I was in a park on a sunny fall day. Maybe I should just enjoy the detour and forget about my intended destination? Detours can do that, you know. If they are distracting enough, detours can cause you to forget where it was you were headed in the first place. But not today. I was determined. I would not let this unforeseen, unplanned detour, deter me from my desired destination. So what now?

I was at a “T” in the road, unsure which way to turn. (did I mention that I am naturally directionally challenged?) Fortunately, some people were walking by just then, so I rolled my window down and asked them for directions. They were happy to oblige and thanks to their good directions, I was able to find my way through and out of the park and back onto the road I needed to take me to my destination.

No longer lost, I felt relieved to be back on a familiar road. But I had some time to make up. After all, a detour is -“a long or roundabout route taken to avoid something . . .” I had avoided the runners/walkers participating in the charity event taking place, which is why the road was blocked off in the first place. However, my alternate route proved to be the very definition of “detour” – being both long and roundabout.

At the time, I thought this was just a one day event. So I was very surprised to encounter the same roadblock, at the same place, necessitating another detour the next day. I was put to the test. Would I remember the route I had taken only yesterday, which, though longer and definitely roundabout, did eventually get me back to my original road? I entered the park, recognized soon the place where I had asked directions the day before, remembered what those directions were, followed them again and – success! I came out on the road I recognized! I was no longer lost!

I felt like a conqueror. I think that’s because I didn’t panic, or give up, or turn around and go home due to my fear of getting lost. I didn’t let the detour deter me from reaching my ultimate destination. That’s how I feel about life’s detours – those obstacles, (life’s roadblocks) challenges, hardships, changes in circumstances, all those unforeseen, unplanned things that happen in life, which force me to take detours that I did not choose – I don’t want these detours to keep me from my intended, ultimate destination.

This is a continual challenge for me, because my life is full of detours. Maybe yours is too? But I have decided not to let any of these detours deter me from my destination. Not easy for someone directionally challenged, like myself. I so easily lose my way. It doesn’t take much of a detour to confuse me, confound me and carry me away from where I am desiring to go. When I was lost in the park, I wasn’t sure which way to go. All the roads looked equally inviting on such a beautiful fall day. I felt I was experiencing what the writer of Proverbs meant when he said –

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

How could I possibly know the outcome of each road? Only God knows “the end from the beginning.” I’m glad I humbled myself that day and asked someone who was familiar with the park for directions. I might have gone further off course if I hadn’t asked for help when I did. Reminds me of some more good advice from Proverbs. I am told to –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I may not have GPS (which I hear can sometimes give less than the best directions?) but I do have God’s word to guide me through all of life’s detours. I can let Him “direct my paths.” When I lose my way, I turn to the One who is “the Way” –

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

And that’s where I’m headed. That’s my destination, the Father – my Father, my Heavenly Father. I’m headed to His house. He’s preparing a place for me there. I have accepted His invitation. I don’t want any detour to keep me from showing up. I don’t want to get lost, distracted, deceived, captured, or waylaid in any way while on my life’s journey to my home in heaven. He’s waiting for me there. He’s expecting me. Jesus promised –

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)

I’m definitely headed home, but so many detours seem to slow my progress, whether by distracting me or by causing me to become hopelessly lost. Then I can end up wandering aimlessly, kind of like the Israelites wandering in the desert all those years. Still, I know that even in life’s detours, I am not alone. King David knew this to be true – must be why he wrote these words –

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

Truly comforting, my Heavenly Father travels with me on each and every detour I take. Sometimes I may be lost, but as Job says –

“He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

I feel like I encounter at least one detour daily, but often multiple detours. Not all are detours of the physical road experienced in a car. There are detours of the mind, heart, will, time and treasure which leave me equally lost, alone and afraid. Remembering that my Heavenly Father is with me during these detours, gives me the courage to continue in order to find my way back to Him.

During these detours, I find myself agreeing with Job. I don’t panic and lose hope because I remember this promise from Romans –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God works all things for good! even detours! I’ll try and remember that next time I have to take the longer, more roundabout route, aka. “the detour”

sincerely, Grace Day