Detours Along The Way

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13

I headed to my doctor’s appointment one morning. I’d never been there before, and I don’t have a GPS, but I’d looked up the address ahead of time. Armed with my map and directions, I headed out, confident I’d find the building without a problem. But there were some “bumps in the road” so to speak.

The landmarks I passed bolstered my confidence that was headed the right direction, until I happened upon an unexpected problem—road construction. Orange cones blocked the road, and a detour sign directed traffic to the left, through a residential neighborhood. Where am I now? I asked myself. Concerned, but not too worried, I drove among the houses, following the detour signs. As I passed each one, I reminded myself that my destination was back to the right and further up the road.

Eventually, I made it back to a main street. I turned right and backtracked to the street I’d been traveling originally. Looking around, I saw that I needed to turn left in order to get to the doctor’s office. Ten minutes later, I reached my destination.

When I parked the car, it occurred to me that because I’d kept my destination and its location in mind, I was able to find my way there—despite being sidetracked by a detour.

This happens to me in other areas of my life too. I set out toward a goal but get distracted. Before I know it, I’m headed a different direction. I get confused, sometimes lost along the way. So, I have to regain my bearings and turn back toward my original destination.  As long as I remember where I’m headed, I’ll get there eventually, even if I take a detour or two.

One Step At A Time

 

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I Psalm 61:2

Camp was always a lot of fun. For years, I went rock-climbing and rappelling. The belayer, tied into the rock at the top, was secured with specific knots to ensure safety. The person scaling the rock before the climb begins, the belayer and the climber communicate to make sure each is ready. “On belay?” “Belay’s on.” “Climbing?” “Climb!”

I began to climb, looking for and grabbed hold of handholds and footholds to pull myself up. Sometimes I had to jamb my hand or foot in a crack, secure it, and shift my weight to hoist myself up. Keeping in mind my goal was to reach the top motivated me to continue up the rock, despite the periodic scrapes and bruises along the way.

It often looked impossible because I saw nowhere to place my feet or hands. But, the belayer and those at the bottom had a different perspective and they could see the bigger picture. They suggested other possible routes for me to take. Following their direction allowed me to reach the top, eventually.

Only years later did I realize how this situation is akin to my life. Many times, I set out toward a goal and have a plan to get there but can’t do it alone. God uses people with a different, bigger perspective to help me along the way. Listening to them gives me the support I need and encourages me to persevere, taking it one step at a time.

If your goal seems out of reach, or you can’t see how to get there, look to God and seek His path for your life. He alone can see the big picture and will lead you in the right direction.