Detours of Life

What a journey it is when we travel this life with our Lord. Our relationship with God truly does take us on a journey that is beyond anything that we could map out. Over the past few months of my life I have come to realize more than ever that God truly is the one writing the story. 

I have always known this in my mind, but it has now taken root in my heart in a way that I can't explain. I truly believe each day is a gift from our Lord and I try to make the most of every opportunity that the Lord gives me to be his light. 

I don't know about you but more than anything I want to know that my life has made a difference for my Lord. I think we all want that to be said of us. We are all called. Each of us above anything in our life are called to be a light for our Lord and to be His hands and feet serving those around us. 

If any of you know me, I am a TO DO LIST person. I have a list of what I need to get, what I need to buy, and even what I need to think about! I MEAN, REALLY!  I don't always let the list rule me, but I always, always have a list. In the last few months, I have realized that I also had a list of things that I wanted to accomplish or some kind of mental written agenda of exactly how the coming years of my life would live out. I serve along side my husband in ministry and I definitely had some thoughts on just how the coming years would look and I felt really "comfortable "and "certain" about the plans "I had made".  

Now don't get me wrong, a lot of my plans were seeds I believe the Lord had planted in my heart. You know God cares about our desires and if we serve him with our whole heart he will give us the desires of our heart. 

As my story unfolds, The day came when in the midst of all of "my list" and "my plans" God showed up with THE PLAN. God said STOP and GO at the same time!!! I am telling you it caused me to act like a child!! You know, those children that throw a fit!! Yep that was me. I was happy with the plan that I had and could comfortably see and I didn't want a new one. I didn't want to hear the words from the Lord that said Stop this plan, and Go to the place I say.  In no way does this mean that the Lord put a stop to HIS plans or stopped working in the desires of my heart but it did mean that it wasn't going to look like I THOUGHT IT WAS!! It meant that I had to FOLLOW GOD and TRUST GOD . It meant that I had to remind myself that I am not the one writing the story and if God says the path goes this way then I had to trust Him. 

 I am human and I definitely had my moments. I questioned it. I cried. I grieved. I acted like a child at times. I am not proud of that and the Lord has taught me a lot about myself through this journey. All I can say is my road map did not show a detour.... but God's did! 

I share this today to encourage a heart that might be questioning God's plans. I think so often we think we know exactly how things SHOULD play out. We think we know how God needs to write the story and often times we will not let go of the pencil so he can write the story. 

Often times, we think if we let go of the pencil that it is not going to turn out right. God's ways are not our ways. They are so much higher and better!! The path with God is not always a straight journey. It can very often take detours that take us down a new path and remind us that we are to trust the Lord. The detours in this journey will have a purpose and they will help to make us better people. God knows the path that is best for us at all times. 

Today if you are walking through a place that requires trust please remember that God IS working ALL things for your good! It's not always a easy verse to receive but it is oh so true!!

--IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT!--

In my own journey, because I have trusted God, in just the last several months I have seen God fulfill promises and desires that were on my LIST!! How awesome is that!! It did not happen like I thought, where I thought, or when I thought... but God is faithful!

When questions arise like.... "Where is God?" or "Why would God take me down this particular path? remind yourself of the truth found in God's word ( Romans 8:28).

As I close this devotion I want to share 3 things that the Lord has brought to my mind during a recent DETOUR in my life and hopefully one of them might encourage you if you are facing something. 

1-  The Lord reminded me of Abraham and Sarai. As I read this story in the Word I saw a woman who was going about her daily routine when her husband comes to her and says start packing. 

Turns out they are going to take a trip to a new inheritance. It is a new land, and even Abraham is not sure where they are headed! How do you think Sarai felt? Was that on her list of things ahead? Prob not. But we see this couple set out to take the path God has set before them. Because God said it God supplies the courage they needed to attain this promise. As they stepped out, each time God spoke to them, he provided more and more details until one day the direction was clear. What a plan and what an inheritance they received from the Lord because they were willing to TRUST and OBEY! 

2- The Lord reminded me of His promises. He keeps his promises and we should too! I know many of us have stood many times at a church service or the altar and whispered prayers to the Lord. 

I recall several instances where I stood at the altar and with tears running down my face I sang to the Lord. Just a couple weeks ago the Lord took my mind back to this place and He whispered in my heart these words "Lisa, do you remember what you said to me?" "Do you remember asking me to take you where your faith was without borders?" "Do you trust me like you say you do?" 

I did remember that! I did remember the words I prayed and longed for. So why was it so hard to believe when God was trying to take me there!?

I remember standing at the altar with those tears as I sang songs to the Lord that said words like: 

I give myself away

Take my heart 

Take my life

As a living sacrifice

All my dreams

All my plans

I place them in your hands

Today, maybe you are facing a move, a sickness, a set back, a hard decision. So many situations can catch us off guard in this life and in that moment we can feel like we know all the reasons why this is something that we should not have to walk through. Often times it can be a GOOD THING and because it wasn't in our plan we still don't want to face it.  It can be so hard to TRUST, but when we know the love and faithfulness of our God ,we know that he is leading us into the best for our lives. We know that he has not forsaken us and all things will come forth in His timing.  Whatever you are walking through today always know that God loves you and He knows what he is doing. 

3-  The Lord reminded me that when we decide to get out of the way and allow him to write the story we will be amazed at the outcome.

The Word says in Ephesians 3: 20-21 ( ESV)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. 

This says to me that I haven't even had the thought enough to ask for the wonderful things that God has planned for me. He can bring to pass far more than I could ever image anyway!! He truly is doing that! He will bless you in ways you have not even thought of if you love Him and follow him with your whole heart!!!

*  that includes allowing God to write the story and throw your list in the trash!!! 

It is my prayer that this devotion has encouraged you.  If there is a detour of any kind in your life right now where you are having to TRUST, BELIEVE, and WAIT it is my prayer that  the Lord will remind you of his faithfulness and his love that promises to lead and guide his children into the best plans for their life! 

A great verse to stand on during this season for your life just might be:

Dear Lord, I pray for each one reading this devotion today. Lord, only you know the path that lies before them and I pray that today you will use this devotion to remind and prepare their hearts and minds for whatever is ahead. Lord, sometimes the path is good yet it is a "hard yes" and sometimes the path brings forth circumstances that are not as favorable to walk through such as sickness, financial strain, and hardship. Lord, with all things bring about a peace in us that comes from knowing you order our steps and we can trust you at all times! With God on our side, all things are working for our good! Great things are ahead in Jesus Name!! 

--God is on the move!--

If you have been encouraged or blessed by this devotion , please don't forget to let me know and share it!  Thanks for reading!!

God Bless ya!

Pastor Lisa Evans

Overcoming Life