Detour Ahead

Some people’s lives are mapped out in detail. Some parents carefully select the right preschool, the right friends, the right college, the right marriage partner, and the right occupation. The only flaw is that they’re perfect! This kind of oversight isn’t necessarily a bad thing; carefully planning with an eye to detail can produce some highly productive, highly motivated individuals. So what’s the problem? Myopia? No! The problem is—detours. Life is ultimately chaotic and indefinitely disorganized with unexpected detours aplenty.

Hard to believe? Do you think Adam and Eve anticipated the serpent asking such a simple question with such nefarious intent? (Genesis 3) Do you think Noah anticipated spending over a century working to build an ark to save his family from the coming wrath? (Genesis 6) Do you think Noah’s son Ham anticipated his children being cursed by his father? (Genesis 9) Do you think Abraham anticipated the changes in his life and his children when God asked him to move to Canaan? (Genesis 12) Could you anticipate all the changes that happened in all these centuries from just these four examples in these four chapters? The Bible has nearly 1,200 chapters and a cast of thousands! Who could possibly anticipate the detours caused in 2,000 years?

Detours are everywhere. Life is unpredictable. There will be pain and suffering, and there will be joy and happiness. There will be unexpected twists and turns, and there will be mountain tops and valleys. Should that cause us to panic and avoid all detours? No! ALL—OF—LIFE—IS--DETOURS! What did God say about those detours? “I am with you always, to the very end of the ages.” Matthew 28

How is Jesus with us? Jesus was with the disciples physically until he ascended into heaven, and then spiritually through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). The Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ presence that would never leave them (John 14:26). Jesus continues to be with us today through the Spirit. The Old Testament prophecies and genealogies in the book of Matthew present Jesus’ credentials for being King of the world—not a military leader or political leader, as the disciples had originally hoped, but a spiritual King who can overcome all evil and rule in the heart of every person. If we refuse to serve the King faithfully, we are disloyal subjects, fit only to be banished from the kingdom. We must make Jesus King of our lives and worship him as Savior, King, and Lord. Still some ask, ‘where does he get this power?’ That’s simple; “All authority in heaven on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18

Your shepherd knows that you’re not made for this place—earth. Jesus has come to guide us out—to restore our souls. Be careful! Do not let these orange cones confuse and detour you. Don’t follow the maddening crowd—they’ll lead you astray, into trouble, sin and even death. Remember what Jesus, himself, said in Matthew 7:14, “… small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life…”