If you speak Italian, you know that “Monaco di Baviera” means Munich. If not, it’s easy to see how two women on a road trip confused Monaco with Munich. They started in northern Italy, intending to drive south to Monaco, but followed signs that took them north to Germany instead!
Being “directionally challenged” myself, I can sympathize with these wrongly directed women. Driving the wrong way on a trip is no fun, but it’s much worse to take a detour from God’s will.
The prophet Jeremiah had to guide the nation of Israel back from a place where “their rebellion [was] great, and their sins [were] many” (Jeremiah 5:6). Perhaps, like Israel, you’ve refused God’s direction and need to make a U-turn to conform with His will.
When you don’t know which road to take, Jeremiah advises, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way” (Jeremiah 6:16). In other words, take a breather and get some wise advice from other Christians.
Godly input is only as effective as our willingness to act upon it. That’s why Jeremiah said, “Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.” Walking God’s way means breaking off our friendship with the world and allowing God to change the way we think. “Then [we] will learn to know God’s will for [us], which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Like Israel, our confusion about God’s direction may be the “fruit of [our] own schemes” (Jeremiah 6:19) because we refuse to listen to God and we reject His Word. Fortunately, U-turns are permitted! When we stop and
More:
• 1 Chronicles 16:11
• Psalm 32:8
• Hebrews 13:21
Next:
Is there an area in your life where you need to make a U-turn in order to follow God’s will? Why is it sometimes more difficult to discern God’s will when you’re coming from a place of rebellion?
lydia tejada on November 2, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thankyou, just this morning I asked God to tell me
what to do because I was going to a church that
worship different from the one I call home and this
just confirmed that the old ways are what he wants
for my life right now, and I need to listen so that I
don’t reject his will for my life.
jennifer benson schuldt on November 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm
As long as we attend churches that rely on the Bible alone as God’s Word, any worship style is probably ok with Him. However, prayer for His direction is a good idea in any situation! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
fabi on November 2, 2009 at 8:38 am
When I faced my U-turn, it was more than just a relief to meet GOD right there. His love for me -John 3:16 – changed for good who I was to who I am now. As many times I say Thank You LORD for all YOU did and keep doing for me and in me is never enough. Out of love HE changed me. How can one be loved like this by the world? The search and emptiness came to an end. THANK YOU LORD, in JESUS name, amen!
Just in time, the more I realize how much I am trully loved, the more I need to talk about this Love and live it.
jennifer benson schuldt on November 2, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Thank you for sharing this with us! What a beautiful expression of thanks for Jesus’ power and involvement in your life. When you said, “the search and emptiness came to an end,” those words echoed in my heart. I think there are so many people who are looking for something to believe in. Many stop searching before they find the one true God–our LORD and savior, Jesus Christ. Only He can save us. Only He can change us. Only He can fill the emptiness.
tatiymike on November 2, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Thank you for this quote. I myself have taken many detours because I lead myself to them. Im not really happy with that, but just yesterday in church my pastor preached about taking detours. I feel so much better that Im off the detour and back on the right path. Im so happy to have a merciful God that understands you are not perfect, but it means so much more to him that you never give up and keep on trying with all you got and prepare yourself for the upcoming battles you will have spiritually.
mikan14 on November 2, 2009 at 9:58 pm
So many people had been turning away from God and went back to their former selves. It’s sad, esp. when the consequences are coming out. I too have been on that wrong road before, and I don’t want to return to my past… When we continually indulge in our past sins or former lives, there may be consequences ahead of us, or worse, if it not for us, it may be for the people around us esp. our family. So before that happens, we must realize our faults, our sins, and return to our LORD. We may slip out of His hand, but He’s not letting go of us. Thank God He makes U-turns, where He waits there in the end. 🙂
jennifer benson schuldt on November 2, 2009 at 10:08 pm
You bring up a good point. Staying on track with God matters not only to us, but to the people around us–family and friends. Even within a person’s Christian walk there are times when he or she may drift away from God. Amazingly, He is there when we return!