2020 seems like one giant re-route doesn’t it? We started the year–and a new decade–full of hopes, dreams and goals for what lay ahead. None of us anticipated the path 2020 would actually take.
This week’s post is written by my friend and podcaster, Julie Pearson, who shares an excerpt from her new devotional book, Better Than Espresso. It’s is all about what happens when our life direction doesn’t seem to make sense (2020, anyone?) I’m GIVING AWAY a copy of her book this week. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. And now…Take it away Julie….
Siri was bugging me. Isn’t her voice annoying sometimes, especially when you’re driving?
It was a Saturday morning and I was preparing to drive my son to his soccer tournament which was about an hour south of our home. I entered the address into my phone, sure of the direction, but as I glanced at my screen, I couldn’t believe my eyes – a complete re-route with blue lines everywhere. Siri has surely lost her mind, I thought to myself. Stubbornly, I decided I was not going to follow her directions. She was going to make us late.
It was a monumental mistake I would later regret.
Just down the road was an accident big enough to delay our arrival time. Instead of embracing the re-route, I had resisted it, causing us to arrive a half hour late and my son to fall apart at the seams. In retrospect I realized the benefit of the re-route, but in the moment I foolishly saw it as a curse.
Life gets re-routed sometimes, too.
But like me with Siri, we don’t realize there is something bigger behind the scenes when our plans, dreams, and decisions get re-routed. If the past few months have shown us anything, it’s this:
Re-routes can wreak havoc on our emotions if we aren’t flexible and willing to adjust.
Just as I questioned the logic and reasoning of Siri, I have questioned God at times about why my hard work and planning doesn’t seem to be leading me to my desired destination. Where are you God?
Have you been in that spot, questioning God in your re-route?
Trusting God in the Re-Route
Trusting God in the re-route means embracing His change-of-plans, and it’s not an easy task. I want to be the director of my life. I prefer to control my route, not place my trust in God who declares He will make my path straight.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
I love the analogy of a “straight path”; it reminds me of driving up a mountain. Frankly, I would rather my ascent be a straight, smooth path instead of a curvy, winding one.
But trusting God is believing that He knows best–whether our path is straight or not. It’s exercising confidence that His path is safe, good, and long-lasting compared to our limited understanding.
This truth can be difficult to grasp, especially if you’re laid off from a job, don’t get into your school of choice, or are delayed in your marriage plans or career.
The natural response is, why?
Why the Re-Route?
Sometimes–often, in fact–we don’t know why God is re-routing our lives until after the fact. This is where trust comes in. It’s possible God may be directing us onto a different route, or adjusting the timing, or simply causing us to acknowledge Him in a deeper way. Re-routes often force us to submit to His understanding, not our own.
This is the hard work of faith.
Here’s some truths I learned the day I was late to my son’s soccer tournament:
- My journey is often more painful and difficult when I resist listening to the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.
- My stubbornness keeps me frustrated instead of free.
- My understanding is imperfect. God’s is divine and favorable.
Basking in these truths has helped me to trust in the Lord and “lean not on my own understanding,” especially in the re-route.
As you think about the Siri analogy, what re-routes have taken place in your life and did you embrace or resist it? What new understanding have you been able to seek because of the re-route?
Share your comments and you will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE copy of Better Than Espresso and one of Julie’s “Sticky Quote” Mirror Decals to encourage you first thing in the morning.
Julie Pearson is the Founder of Revival 4 women, a non-profit ministry that exists to build authentic community to refresh, renew, and restore women through conferences, podcasts, and retreats. In addition to her ministry, Julie speaks for women’s events and writes a blog to encourage and inspire women in all seasons of life. She is currently pursuing Christian Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. Julie is a lover of coffee, God, and time basking in the sun. Find Julie at www.juliepearson.org.
For more information about Julie, her book, and mirror decals, go to https://juliepearson.org/book/. You can purchase Better Than Espresso on Amazon.
Great post…thank you!
Thank you Susan. I hope the words blessed you today.
I always seem to be in a constant state of being rerouted… almost feel like I can never really make plans, because they never turn out. Ever.
Oh Trisha, I’m so sorry to hear you feel like this. Your story reminds me of Joseph in the Bible. Do you know his story? If not, it’s found in Genesis 37-50. Interestingly, God spends more time telling us about Joseph than almost anyone else in the Bible–perhaps it’s because we all can resonate on some level. I hope you read it. I think you’ll be encouraged to know God loves you and has a plan for you even if your life is full or re-routes.
I’m praying for you. 🙂
Trisha I know how you feel. Being the planner I am, it gets so frustrating when we don’t see much fruit from our plans!! Submitting to God’s understanding rather than our own gets discouraging at times. I think the more we expect the re-routes the easier they become. Expecting is coming to a place of truly surrendering our plans, and knowing full well God has the bigger picture in mind for our lives. Stay faithful !! Galations 6:9 Don’t become weary for at the right time you will reap a harvest. Thanks for sharing and God bless you as you continue to live out the journey of faith.
My re-route was breaking my leg which changed everything in my life for one year! It slowed me down and I couldn’t even walk or drive. I had so much time sitting & thinking that God used to strengthen me in ways I didn’t even realize I needed, starting with my prayer life and studying His word! I learned, never complain about a wound(or a re-route) that brings you closer to Jesus!! ♥️
Awesome Jill. Yes our slow downs and re-routes are for a greater purpose we never fully understand until we get later perspective. So encouraging to know this time of re-route drew you closer to Jesus!! Thanks for sharing.
As I have gotten older, the re-routes that I thought devastating when younger now mean nothing. Tragedies have made me realize that God is in control in the midst of pain and one day I will know why. In the meantime, I will remain faithful to HIM.
Maritza~ I agree with you. The older we get, we have more perspective. I love your attitude…. remaining faithful to Him even when tragedy strikes. That is so hard, but our obedience to Him reaps great rewards. Thank you for sharing!!
I love your perspective, Martiza–and your continued faithfulness. Thank you for sharing something we all need to hear.
Hi! Hope all is well and you and you’re family are enjoying summer! Thanks for all the love and support shared on this email and Instagram.
You’ve helped me through a lot and emails arrive right when needed – God’s timing!
Would love the book.
Thank you Donna always for your wisdom and you are a gift from God. Thank you again❤️
Love the message- I agree-when you KNOW it is God talking to you, it is easier to follow Him… yet- when we are not sure that it IS God talking,
and it is not a black/white subject- then it makes it a lot harder to discern IF we should listen to the Re-direct or if Satan is trying to throw us off course.
Using God’s word as the ultimate map, Listening to godly friends advice- yet often, we have to make split second decisions to choose to redirect or not…thoughts on that one?💕
Hello Ann. I love your question. One of the best things I heard recently that I am trying to implement in my own life is be take the next step and be faithful with the next step. I agree sometimes life present split second re-routes and decisions, but this is where God is asking, “Do you trust me”? So easy to say but hard to do. I’m right there with you Ann. Keep taking the next step!!
Would love the book!
Take care and have a nice day, Donna!”:)
My stubbornness keeps me frustrated instead of free.
I enjoyed this.
Dawna Snow
I love your honesty, Dawna! I think we can all relate.:) Your words, “frustrated instead of free”–are so insightful. Frustration is what we all feel when we resist God’s leading in any area of life. Thank you for your candor and insight! May God bless you in every way as you follow Him.
Dawna love your authenticity here with your words. WE are all in process of things we can’t get our hands and mind wrapped around. He wants all of us free of the things that keep us stuck. Lay your stubbornness at the altar, I am positive God will start showing up and setting you FREE!! Thanks for sharing!!