Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Detour Ahead


It happens when we least expect it. We’re traveling down the highway, making great time, knowing we’ll reach our destination on time. And then, out of nowhere, we see it: the bright orange sign. It has two simple words printed on it, “Detour ahead.” Before we know it, we’re off the highway, traveling some winding two lane road. Our speed slows dramatically, and the traffic resembles a caravan of snails inching toward their destination.

Our typical reaction to the detour? We whine, we gripe, we bemoan our fate.

Jesus experienced a detour too. One minute He was in the fast lane. People crowded around Him, begging to see Him and hear Him speak. They called Him “Savior” and wanted to make Him king. They threw palm branches and their robes at His feet, praising Him as He entered Jerusalem. Surely He was traveling quickly toward fame, riches, and royalty.

But a detour caused an abrupt about face to that trip. Jesus was arrested, beaten, humiliated, and nailed, nearly naked, to a rugged wooden cross. How did He react to this detour? He uttered two sentences that illustrate His attitude. “Father…not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42) and “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Because He willingly traveled the detour, believers receive eternal life.

On our highway of life, we will encounter unexpected detours. How will we react? Will we whine and complain? Or will we submit to the One who knows the final destination?

I Peter 1:6, 7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

 

8 comments:

  1. In May 2012 our lovely all-planned-out highway of life ran into a detour. How did I react? I whined and complained the entire way. Now that we're back on the road, I'm worn out from my bad behavior. Hopefully I've learned from this experience so that the next time it happens (and there certainly will be a next time), I will go along for the ride GOD has planned for me.

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    1. Isn't that human nature, Rebecca? I know I often do the same thing. The few times I don't, I'm so much happier! Sigh, will we humans ever learn? Thanks for stopping by and for the comment, my friend.

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  2. Good Morning Nancy! I think my life is more 'detour' than straight road lately. I wonder what God wants to teach me? I think patience for sure.

    I liked how you made Christ an example of a detour with his rejection. Interesting way to think about his Passion. If he can suffer, suffering in me makes me look like him, so I'll keep that in my mind too.
    Happy Tuesday!
    Ceil

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    1. Good morning, Ceil! Those detours can be challenging, can't they? I, too, often wonder what I can learn while traveling on the detour. I suppose being open to His teaching is the key, isn't it?

      Your upbeat comment brought a smile to my face. Thanks, and happy Tuesday to you, too!

      Nancy

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  3. Yep ... gripe, complain, moan, and groan. Been there, done that ... and continue to do it way too often. Thanks for this gentle encouragement today, dear Nancy! Lord knows we need to hear it!

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    1. Human nature loves to complain, doesn't it? Thank God for constantly molding us into His image, even when we relapse. Thank you, Linda, for your stopping by and for taking the time to comment.

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  4. I'm afraid I don't always handle detours very well. :-( I want to follow Christ's example better and welcome them, knowing that detours that come from him are the right path all along!

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    1. Detours can be very challenging, can't they? I pray we'll have our eyes opened to see when God is detouring us and the willingness to accept the path he places before us. Thanks for reading and commenting, Lisa.

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