Category Archives: Detours

Woman with camera standing beside red car near detour and Scout's Overlook signs
Appointed, Bible, Detours, Listening, Romans, Scripture

PASSING THROUGH

ROMANS 15:24

“whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while—”

Sometimes when you take a trip you plan to go through towns, cities or maybe even parks that are not your final destination. On my Google Maps app, I can add stops along the way between my departure location and where I am planning to go. Sometimes those stops may be random. You see a billboard or attraction sign that spurs your interest, so you make a detour. Unless you are in a hurry to get where you are going, allow some time on your next trip to explore those “in between” places.

Paul, as I mentioned yesterday, had been eager to visit Rome for some time. So, as he was planning his next trip to Spain or Spania as it was called in Paul’s day, he writes he would pass through Rome and visit. Little did he know his “detour” to Rome would be as a prisoner awaiting his appeal. There is actually no biblical evidence which states he made it to Spain. After his first imprisonment in Rome, we do not know exactly where he went. Tradition states he went on the undocumented fourth missionary journey which may have included Spain. I guess we will have to ask him when we see in heaven.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated “passing” is diaporeuomai which means “to travel through, go through, journey in, pass by.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). It’s only used five times in the New Testament. I love what the Topical Lexicon says about it. Diaporeuomai “expresses more than physical locomotion; each instance frames a purposeful passage that advances redemptive history. Whether describing the Messiah moving toward the cross, the apostles circulating conciliar decrees, or Paul charting a route to unreached frontiers, the verb constantly links travel with divine appointment.”

Did you catch that last thing? Divine appointment! I believe we miss out on some divine appointments because we are always too busy to get where we are going. I am guilty of that. I watch the map on my phone as I drive. I gauge the success of my trip on how fast I can get from point A to point B. I don’t think Jesus was too concerned about that, do you? He wasn’t in a hurry as He walked the dusty roads of Galilee.

Let me encourage you to slow down and smell the roses. On your next trip, allow for some divine appointments. It might be a lingering conversation with a waitress at a restaurant. God may have already mapped out your “detours” to see if you are willing to listen to His rerouting your trip.

I want to go only where You want me to go. Show me the path You have for me today.

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Abiding, Bible, Delays, Detours, God's Will, Purpose, Scripture

PROVIDENTIALLY DELAYED

GALATIANS 4:13

“but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;” 

Have you ever been delayed on a trip? Most of the time these delays get us irritated. Why did MY plane have to have mechanical issues? What in the world is causing this traffic jam? We complain without knowing why God has allowed it. I believe everything that touches us goes through His hands first, don’t you? And if that is so, then these delays have been allowed by Him for a purpose.

Many scholars think Paul may have gotten sick which caused his stay there in Galatia to last longer than he intended. We can recall time after time in the book of Acts when God blocked Paul’s attempts to go somewhere, only to direct him where He wanted him to go. Perhaps this is a similar situation. For whatever reason, God wanted Paul to linger longer in Galatia to preach the Gospel and disciple these young believers.

APPLICATION

In Acts 16:6-10, we read about one of Paul’s delays or reroutes. “6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Many believe this detour, this delay on Paul’s second missionary journey is what birthed the Gospel into what is now modern day Europe. I am a direct descendant of European settlers who came to America and brought the Gospel with them. Delays! Detours! The have a providential purpose. God does not waste His time just creating roadblocks for us.

The next time your plans are interrupted, ask the Lord what He wants you to learn. Look for God moments. There may be a person you are supposed to meet. There may be a place you are supposed to go instead. Stay alert and watch. I promise you God has a reason for your journey.

Lord, give me Your eyes to see the reason behind each Your “delays” in my life.

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