Detours.

They can be so challenging, can’t they?

They take extra time, send us off of our original path, and tend to add more stress to a trip.

And while those bright orange cones on the highways and flashing signs can signal some minor inconveniences on the road, it’s those spiritual detours that often leave us scratching our heads and wondering if maybe we should have taken another route.

But, what if we changed our perspective and saw detours as a good thing?

A few years ago, I had made plans to go on a mission trip to Africa. I was so excited and was counting down the days until our team would leave per schedule.

God, on the other hand, thought a detour might be better for me.

It was March of 2020.

COVID had reared its ugly head and was enveloping the globe in an unprecedented way. Countries were closed; planes were grounded; and the mission trip was cancelled.

I was so disappointed.

Why would God do this?

I didn’t have that answer, but clearly, I wasn’t in control.

With each passing year, I watched and waited for this mission trip to be made available again.

It never was.

Last year, I chatted with God about my mission trip desire and asked Him to show me where, if not Africa, He would have me to go.

A “process-of-elimination” conversation took place with my husband until the only mission trip left on the table available to me was Italy.

Italy didn’t sound like a mission destination as much as it did a vacation spot.

However, because it was my only option, I signed up and internally wondered what God was up to.

Once our team arrived in country and began our daily assignments, I met a young woman named Rebi.

Rebi was searching for hope, life, and answers that only the God of the universe could give.

Rebi sought me out for conversations about the eternal. We had many opportunities to connect over the course of the five days we were in-person and, by the time our team had to leave, Rebi was a different person.

She had found the Hope she’d been searching for. His Light had triumphed over darkness. God’s love had flooded her heart and soul.

It became abundantly clear to me why God had routed me around this mission-trip-mountain for so many years.

The timing, conditions, and circumstances had to be right for me to meet Rebi.

Rebi was my mission.

For years, I wondered why God had placed this detour in my path.

I had saved, planned, and prepared for Africa, but God saw that the best divine appointment for me was actually in Italy.

The Scriptures say it best. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 ESV)

It’s okay to make plans. Just don’t be surprised when those divine detours pop up.

God is paving the way for something very special on the other side of it.

Until next time, Grace and Glory!