When we first moved to Germany, we learned a couple of words very quickly. The first was Umleitung, meaning “detour.” The first route our GPS gave us to get to our house took us straight to an impassable hole in the road and construction. We followed the Umleitung signs until we learned a better way from our landlord.
We also learned the word Stau, which means “traffic jam.” We experienced these somewhat often, partly because of the distance we lived from the bases/posts and partly because many of our routes involved big construction projects. A Stau could add a few minutes or hours to any trip.
Driving in Germany taught us quickly that getting from one place to another didn’t always go according to plan. Sometimes we waited. Sometimes we found another way.
Like everything else, when I have to detour or sit “stuck” in traffic, I am reminded of how our spiritual walk is similar. Many times, things don’t go the way we plan, or the way we think they should, or we simply don’t get what we want when we want it.
Detour.
I wonder how often the detours in our lives spare us more pain and suffering than we believe is caused at the time?
A detour is frustrating because I know where I intended to go. I can see the route I planned, but I cannot always see what waits on the road ahead. The same is true in life. I know what I wanted to happen. I know when I wanted it to happen. What I cannot see is everything God can.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
Other times, we feel stuck, like life just isn’t moving fast enough. The reality is often that time moves too quickly. Kids grow, families and friends move, and loved ones pass away. Each moment is precious time. Use it wisely.
