Lynn Jones: “When Life Takes a Detour”
By Lynn Jones
Nobody likes to see a detour sign. We have our plans and our schedules mapped out, and suddenly all that is changed by the ugly orange sign that says, “Detour!” But like it or not, sooner or later we are all faced with detours when we’re traveling.
That is true, not only along the road that we travel in our cars, but it is also true of our road of life. The road of life is often cluttered with detour signs. A Hagar comic strip showed the old Viking giving advice to his son. He was saying, “My son, when you travel down life’s road in search of happiness, be sure to take an extra pair of shoes.” We need to take an extra pair of shoes because the road is generally longer than we expected. It seldom lies out before us as straight as an arrow. It is filled with those disturbing detours.
That’s the way it was with Israel. The Israelites had just been allowed to leave the land of Egypt. Moses was leading them from this land of bondage to the land of promise. The quickest and most direct route to the Promised Land lay along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was short, smooth, and direct, But then, the Lord put up a detour sign. Although the road was shorter that way, the road led through the Philistine country, and the Philistines lived in great fortified cities and were a war-like people. God said, “If my people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So, God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. (Ex. 13:17-18).
Have you ever had that kind of experience? You had plans, dreams, and schedules, and then you encountered the long and disagreeable detour. Generally, we do not cope with detours very well. We are as impatient as children who ask every few minutes, “Are we there yet?” When God puts up the detour sign in our lives, we need to remember that Paul wrote, “In all things God is at work for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28). In this case God was acting to protect his people from war and discouragement. The other way would be longer, but it would be better for them.
Remember that when God conceals his purposes, we need to keep living on his promises. We may not understand the reason for the detour, but we need to trust God to meet our needs on the new way. With Israel, He went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light. (Ex. 13:21-22. Trust God for his leadership. He will guide you in the best way to go and will meet your needs on the way!
Lynn Jones is a retired pastor who lives in Oxford. He does supply preaching for churches in his area and often serves as an interim pastor. Jones is also an author, has written two books and writes a weekly newspaper column. He may be contacted at: kljones45@yahoo.com.
