Detour Ahead

John 4:1-4

“The Pharisees heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more followers than John, although Jesus himself did not baptize people, but his followers did. Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard about him, so he left Judea and went back to Galilee. But on the way he had to go through the country of Samaria.”

D E T O U R    ||    A H E A D

Doesn’t that sound familiar? I feel like too many of us can relate..

We have all experienced driving through a beautiful road to get to our destination only to be confronted with a large sign that says “ROAD CLOSED, FOLLOW THE DETOUR SIGNS”. 

And by following those signs, we are brought again to the smooth road.

... life is very much like that.  

But I am here to tell you: CONSIDER IT PURE JOY!

[ Every detour has a reason. ]

We aren't prepared with a map of life telling us where we will encounter detours.. We don’t plan them! One day you’re fine, the next day you’re in the hospital.. One day your house is fine, the next day it’s flooded. 

They appear sudden and without warning! 

That is where faith steps in.. We must trust and believe that the one and only God will come through.

There were various routes that Jesus could have taken to get from Judea to Galilee, but by choosing to go through Samaria, I believe he knew he would have an important meeting with the Samaritan woman. (Although Jewish people were not friends with Samaritans).

Seldom do we know the length of the detour..

On the highway, we follow detour signs without knowing how long it is going to be.. in life, we don’t know how long we will have to suffer, but we are hopeful that at any moment, we will be back on the main highway.

I don’t believe I have ever seen a good detour road, most are rough and winding.. They always take you out of your way and delay your arrival to your destination. They must always be traveled slow and careful. Just like life, they require great patience.

The indirect routes that life brings us to are often the reason for the journey! Hmm, ever thought of it that way..? They’re not a distraction at all!

If it feels like you’re in an unplanned detour right now, BE ENCOURAGED!

God knows exactly where you are. He has something special for you...