The ways of God

"A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can he understand his way?" 

-Pr. 20:24

I'm often amused by the directions my life takes.  It's never a clear, straight path.  Often I wander around the most unnecessary side roads as I follow God, but on those side roads are people....people who need to know God.  It's those apparent detours, those wonderful encounters, that make it clear that God is directing my way.  

If it were up to me I would chart a straight road to the finish line, but if I did I would miss all the sites of my twists and turns.  I would miss meeting the people who wait in the back roads to find God.  

Those turns in your life are never an accident, never a mistake.  They are God's way of showing his love to a person who is looking for him.  We are the ones who are called to show them the way, to share with them the savior who found us.  

Below is a fascinating story of one such detour, an amazing encounter arranged by God for just one person.

Acts 8:26-39 "Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this:

As a sheep led to slaughter,

    and quiet as a lamb being sheared,

He was silent, saying nothing.

    He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial.

But who now can count his kin

    since he’s been taken from the earth?

The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.

As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. He had what he’d come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be."

As you experience the twists and turns of following God don't be surprised when you suddenly are taken on an apparent detour,  there is someone on that path that needs to meet you and know the Christ you know. Don't forget, someone took a detour in their path to find you and share Christ with you.

If you allow God to direct your steps you will never be bored or disappointed, but you will be surprised!