Sunday, September 14, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Bumpy Roads ... Unplanned Paths

Proverbs 3:6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

When I was in high school, a friend and I missed our exit on the way home from a trip to the mall. We did what seemed was logical and took the next exit thinking that we could easily turn around. Unbeknownst to us, that exit brought us to ANOTHER major interstate. It was MILES before we could get on the right path.

As frustrating as that experience was, I often wonder if God could have been protecting us from an accident had we not missed that exit.

You see, there are times in life that we all go down undesired, inconvenient and unplanned paths. While cruising down the highways or bumpy roads of life, we have a choice to make. Do we continue to proceed begrudgingly, OR do we take time to consider the purpose and potential of the detour?

In Exodus 13, the children of Israel were finally released from the horrible grips of Pharaoh. Interestingly though, verse 17 states that God did not lead them along the MAIN ROAD that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the SHORTEST route to the Promised Land. Instead God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

Wow! There WAS a quicker way to get to the Promised Land. However, God realized that the quick way was not the BEST way. God - the Maker of the Universe Who knows the beginning from the end- set them on a different path to protect them from battle and from returning to their bondage in Egypt.

Honestly, I don't always understand the paths of God. There are even times that I feel like I am walking through life one step at a time unsure of the next twist or turn. However, I am always confident in the FACT that He is guiding me. Psalm 119:105 shares, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

I challenge you today to have peace in your journey with God even if you don't understand the route. Know that on the bumpiest or most desolate roads, He is there leading those who have submitted to His will.

Dear Lord, I thank You that You will never leave or forsake me. Reveal to me the purpose and direction I need to take in the journey that I am on.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection:  Are you trusting God's paths for your life EVEN when you don't understand why He is moving you in a particular direction?