GOD’S DETOURS – 6 Reasons for God’s Course Corrections Sample

4. We are not headed in the right direction. We pick a destination that God knows is not in our best interest or his best plan, but he allows us to start moving and then redirects us. It is easier to direct a moving car than one that is stalled. We can often become paralyzed with over analysis and the fear of making a mistake. We may need to start moving and if we are not stubbornly ridged and refuse to listen, God can direct us with divine detours.

An example is found in Acts when Paul was looking for direction on his second missionary journey. Luke tells us that Paul tried to go into western Asia but “the Lord prevented him.” Having hit the detour Paul waited and adjusted as the Holy Spirit opened new doors into Greece. Paul was a man in motion but allowed God to open and close doors along the way.

Soon after obtaining my degree in Aerospace Engineering, I was working for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Washington,. During the previous five years, God had brought several people into my life to disciple me and equip me with the vision and skills to disciple others. I had a passion to carry out my part of the Great Commission in the marketplace. All the pieces seemed to fit and have the touch of God behind them.

The year was 1967 so it was not a surprise to receive an invitation from the Secretary of Defense offering me a full-ride fellowship to study oriental geography in SE Asia . . . it was known as the draft and the destination was VietNam. What was a surprise was that my letter of appeal was denied even though I was doing critical work with a defense contractor.

I felt as if a massive landslide had just blocked my path. At first I was surprise, then confused, and later even angry. Eventually I made peace with reality and considered this a temporary (three year) detour that would eventually put me back on my original path and my life would go on much as I had envisioned it. However, I never returned to my engineering career. After my military service I sensed a call to full-time mission work and joined the staff of The Navigators.

Some 45 years later I realize that detour was God’s way of redirecting my life to a path I could not have envisioned earlier and probably would not have chosen. Fulltime mission work was not an option on my list of careers to pursue. It took a detour to change my heart and prepare me for a new life calling. Proverbs 3:5-6 was my detour promise!