Driving up to the DETOUR sign Rita thinks, Why waste my time with a detour? If I go straight, I’ll get there in 20 minutes. Shrugging her shoulders she ignores the sign and plows ahead.

Smiling Rita sails along on smooth roads confident in her choice. SCREECH! Slamming on the breaks she stops inches from the sign posted on the barrier: SINKHOLE.

Her heart pounding, she grips the wheel tightly, backs up and turns off onto the closest road. Lost without a GPS, she spends an hour turning on unfamiliar roads until she spies a construction site. As she drives into the site her car abruptly pulls to the left.

WHOMP! WHOMP! Groaning in frustration she hops out of the car. A flat tire! Nooo! Shaking her head in despair, she notes that a 20-minute trip will take her over 2 hours and the expense of a new tire.

WHICH WAY?

How many choices do we make that we later regret? Like Rita, at times haven’t we all ignored the detour signs in life?  It’s not always easy to know which choice is right.

So how do we make a choice?  Do we toss a coin or play ennie-mini-miney-mo? God has a better idea.

God has given us the Holy Spirt
to teach and guide us.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in My, (Jesus), name,
He will teach you all things,
and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you,
John 14:26

As we drive through life, we all run into detours. Some detours protect us from unseen obstacles like sinkholes. Others lead us back onto God’s road when we have missed a few turns. But beware! There can be detours which are meant to take us off God’s road entirely! How do we know if we should take the detour?

PUT ON THE BREAKS & ASK!

Sometimes we wonder, Should I ask God? After all, doesn’t He have big issues to deal with? My issue is insignificant.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you,
James 1:5 NIV

Nothing is too insignificant for God. He wants to give us wisdom to make the right choices about everything. The Lord loves us so much that He knows the number of hairs on our head. In the grand plan of life, what could be less significant than that?

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear therefore;
 you are of more value than many sparrows,
Luke 12:7

Any choice that is important to us, is important to God. The choices we make today may seem insignificant, but could impact us tomorrow.  He knows our futures, will make the best road map for us and won’t get us lost. We can have faith that because God loves us His Holy Spirit will show us the choice that is in our best interest.

Besides, what have we got to lose? Asking may protect us from the sinkhole up ahead!

WHEN DO WE ASK?

Anytime! Anywhere! The Lord is available 24/7!

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep,
Psalm 121:4

I’M LISTENING!
HOW DO WE KNOW WHO’S SPEAKING?

We may not hear the Lord audibly, but through the Holy Spirit, we can hear Him any number of ways. His voice doesn’t scream and chew us out. It is small and loving, (1 Kings 19:11-12).

WE HEAR HIM THROUGH;

A scripture that jumps out at us,
A song,
Someone’s prayer or words,
A dream,
Circumstances,
His means of communication are endless!

WHATEVER WE HEAR, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TEST IT.

Does it follow God’s character? (Galatians 5:22-23)
Does it follow scripture? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Still unsure? Get godly counsel, (Proverbs 15:22). The Lord will never direct us to do something that goes against His nature of love or His Word.

MY ROAD HAS OBSTACLES!
DID I MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE?

If Rita had made the right choice to follow the detour signs, her trip may not have been obstacle free, but it would have been smoother. She would have saved herself time, the expense of a tire and frustration.

How about God’s road? Is it obstacle free? God’s road may not be obstructed by sinkholes (or kangaroos), but there will be obstacles. Obstacles do not mean that we have made the wrong choice. Jesus never promised an obstacle free road, but He did promise that He would be victorious.

“These things I have spoken to you,
 that in Me you may have peace.
 In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

In faith we can choose God’s road knowing it is best for us.

REFLECTION

Will you ask the Lord about the next choice you have to make?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father as I write James 1:5 and say it aloud, help me to look to You and give me wisdom to make the right choices. In Jesus name. Amen.

IN FAITH ASK GOD ABOUT OUR CHOICES

Comment!

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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

Photo road, Pete Alexopoulos-
Photo rabbit, Fee Loona
Photo brakes, JLasWilson
Photo kangaroo, Moerschy