When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.

Exodus 13:17

Life is filled with detours. Relationships change, jobs end, relocations happen. But what we see as unexpected detours, God sees as part of a story He wrote before time began. He’s already there, and He works all things for our good and for His glory! Even if we can’t see how things can possibly get better, He’s already there working out every detail. 

We fear detours in life because we see them as endings, and with a few exceptions, we generally don’t like endings. But God doesn’t want us living in fear of new directions and new beginnings. He just wants us to trust that He’s there, walking through every one with us. When we let go of OUR plans and trust that He’s holding us throughout this journey called life, we find freedom. Even when we are rerouted, when we are living for Him and His purposes, living the life that He has chosen for us, we will have peace and joy. 

Don’t fear the detours; Jesus never wastes them. He will use them to shape your heart and make you useful for His Kingdom on earth. If you never had to struggle, never felt insecure, never experienced pain or loss, or never felt loneliness, you would be pretty ineffective at helping others through their times of darkness. Sometimes the biggest struggles ignite the greatest passion to love and serve. Because spending time in the dark, can ultimately make you shine the brightest! As Jesus walks with you through your challenges, He shapes your heart into a heart of compassion and empathy, into a heart like His. Wear it well and shine like crazy! You are loved!

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