(Or: The change in plan that you didn’t ask for)
Most of the time we have a plan for what we want and how we think we can best get there. (I know I do.) I’m an excellent planner—even my contingency plans have contingency plans—and so I can find it quite challenging when, despite my efforts, things don’t follow my plan.
Downs tells us today that whyever our plans are modified we can be assured God is with us in them. He has promised he will never leave us. He is faithful and good. He is for us, not against us. He works all things together for our good. Whatever the reason for the detour, it’s not a surprise to him and he remains with us. Do you believe that when your plans get messed up? Alongside my disappointment over my wrecked plans, I can feel alone and afraid. Why didn’t the thing I wanted happen? Why am I waiting? Why aren’t I over there?
The only solution I’ve found that works is obedient and intentional surrender. It’s not easy. It’s not necessarily quick. It’s not common in our culture, but it works. Looking back on divine detours of the past and examining God’s faithfulness in them can help us trust he is with us right now. Downs suggests journalling about such events in our lives to focus on how God used them for our good. That’s certainly an excellent suggestion, one that Moses began as he taught the Israelites to recall the miracles and faithfulness of God in their lifetime. Whatever the detour, we must ultimately choose to believe God is actively working in our lives and absolutely good. We must declare that to ourselves even when it’s hard and we are frustrated. Surrendering our days to God must include the days when our expectations are dashed. Praising God for his faithfulness must be done even on the days when we can’t see his hand. One starting point might be to chose to quote the psalmist, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24 NRSV) It’s hard, but it’s true. It’s difficult, but it works. The more we declare it the sooner our hearts believe it. Detours may be a shock to us but they are never a surprise to God.
How do you cope with detours?