Detour

Hmm, let’s see. North is up, right?

Okay, I’ll confess, I have a poor sense of direction.  Put me in the middle of a field and ask me to point north, I’ll probably just point straight ahead.

You know, living for God can seem like this at times.  Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we know where we’re going or what we’re supposed to do next. I guess that’s why we can’t trust our feelings.  We have to trust God’s Word - our road map, you might say.  Speaking of God’s Word, the Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”. That means that if we live right with God and let Him lead our lives, He’s got where we’re going all figured out for us. 

Today’s story comes from I Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 17 through chapter 3 verse 13 and is entitled “Detour”.

Our theme verse is I Thessalonians 3:5.  “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”

Dad slammed on the brakes and brought the car to a neck-jerking stop.  “Boy, that was close,” he said.  “Just look at this traffic.”

Mom peered out the window at the endless line of cars inching along the long stretch of asphalt. “I guess we’ll never make it to Janet’s graduation ceremony in time now.” She eyed Denise in the back seat.  “You okay, dear?”

Denise forced a smile.  “I’m okay.  I just feel kinda bad though.”

“Why is that, sweetie?” her mom asked.

“I haven’t seen Janet much since she went away to college.  Now we may not even make it to see her graduate.”  Denise looked away as tears filled her eyes.

“Don’t cry, baby.”  Her mother leaned over the seat and gently patted Denise on her knee.  She then turned to Dad. “If only we knew this area well enough we might be able to take a side street and get to the university sooner.”

Dad slapped his forehead. “Duh,” he said.  “What was I thinking?  This GPS you gave me for Christmas can map all sorts of different directions.  Let me try to play with it.”

Mom quickly reached for the GPS unit.  “Or, you can keep your eyes on the road and tell me what buttons to push,” she said.

A few minutes later, the GPS flashed a new map on the screen, and a voice instructed them to turn at the next street.  After going through several traffic lights and tree-lined neighborhoods, the university came into view.

“There’s the school!” shouted Denise, pointing.  “We made it!”

Dad drove into the parking lot.  “Help me find a place to park.  We’ve got five minutes before the ceremony starts.”

“There’s Janet.”  Mom waved at the young woman standing next to the auditorium entrance in her shiny blue cap and gown.

Dad eased into a parking space.  “You know, this reminds me of Sunday’s sermon.  When we think there’s no hope, God always finds a way.”

“Yeah, just like our GPS,” Denise said.

Dad laughed.  “Yes, sweetie.  Just like our GPS, but only better.  He not only knows how to get us around life’s road blocks, sometimes He moves them right out of the way for us.”

“Well, we better get moving,” Mom said.  “I see Janet tapping on her watch.”

Let’s search the Word now:

In our selected verses, Paul told the saints at Thessalonica how he missed them and wanted to see them but Satan kept him from coming.  Instead, he sent Timothy in his place.  Timothy was able to report back to Paul how well the church was doing. 

Just like God helped Paul find a way to check in on the Thessalonians, He will make a way for us to do His will, if we let Him.

And, remember, Jesus loves you, so love Him back with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Copyright 2011 King's Kids Media

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