We’ve all
seen the above road signs above, right? Of course we have … it’s inevitable in
America today with all the (seemingly never ending) road construction projects
around! Be honest with yourself for a second – whether it’d be on a commute you
make daily or during your travels during a vacation – have you ever moaned
under your breath after seeing a detour sign
and realized later on that your attitude or outlook on the day changed, most
often negatively?
I admit it …
I have. Detours are those unexpected
inconveniences that cause you to reroute, be late to your arrival destination
or take you away from your direct path of travel, which often affect your
emotions in a negative manner. We tend to look at detours as bad things – but I
have news for you … Detours really can be a good thing! Sure they may cause you
frustrations when you arrive late to work, or when you get rerouted just before
turning into your local Starbucks to pick up your morning coffee. (Yes, I can hear it now … some of you think
that missing your morning coffee is like the end of the world.) But really,
– what if the detour was put in place to prevent you from driving into a giant
sinkhole? I don’t know about you, but I’d be very thankful for that detour. The
consequences of not obeying would certainly be much more costly and
detrimental. Ultimately, roadway detours are put in place for our
protection and we need to obey.
BUT ...
Detours don’t just happen on the
roadway. They happen in our lives too!
What would
happen if God provided us with detour signs
before significant events in our lives? Would you promptly turn around only to
repeat the past, approach the sign with fear and hesitation, or would you
proceed with caution, knowing that no matter what lies ahead, you can walk in
confidence and trust in God’s perfect plan?
Last year my
physical health repeatedly took me down one detour after another leaving me
feeling so lost on a road that was much less than desirable and one that I
certainly did not anticipate nor was prepared for. There were weeks that I
struggled to breathe and found myself relying on oxygen tanks to fill my lungs
with air. Some weeks I passed out more times than I can count. Still other
weeks I was left feeling completely helpless as I watched my body’s ability to
function deteriorate before my very eyes.
Yet, week
after week I kept digging deep to find a tiny ray of hope that life would soon
turn away from the detours and merge back onto the “normal” road traveled. I kept journeying forward thinking if I
could just hang on a little longer, then just around the bend ahead I’d
experience a change, some improvement, or better yet a completely miracle. As I
ended the year 2016, it was certainly not one I ever wished to repeat, but it
also struck me, that while the diagnoses’ have been received, and treatment has
begun, this less traveled road may
never end. What I thought as being one detour after another may not actually be
a detour at all, but rather the path that God had planned for me all along.
I was caught
off-guard and surprised, but God wasn’t.
I kept
feeling like I was being taken further and further off-course feeling lost and
alone, but God knew clearly the road ahead and never once left my side.
I often felt
like I couldn’t take one more step forward, but God then picked me up and
carried me ahead.
Acknowledging
and accepting this new road that I’m walking has been my challenge of 2017 thus
far. This new road is less traveled, bumpy and twisty by times, with each day bringing
a level of uncertainty and variability. BUT,
I can honestly say that I’m THANKFUL for this new road. While it may never
bring the complete healing and restoration to my physical body that I once
desired, it has allowed me to experience a closeness with Jesus that I don’t
think I would have received any other way. I often find myself reflecting back over
the most challenging months of last year, and have been continuously in awe of
how God’s hand was at work and how He never once abandoned me.
God does not
waste our suffering, nor does He waste our trials in life. Living with a
chronic illness is difficult, but I can confidently say that I’m thankful for
this new road God has me on. I have experienced many blessings along the way,
and can say with confidence that I look forward to seeing how God is going to
continue working in my life on this new road – both in the times He’s teaching me the hard
lessons, but also in the unexpected blessings that come.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never
ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is
your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:22-23
