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Don’t you love detours? You’ve created just enough space in your schedule to get to your next appointment when–BAM–the road ahead is closed and you are instructed to follow a detour.

A different road.

Not the plan you had in mind.

Or maybe you want to take a detour. You’re tired of traveling the same road and you long for something different.

That would be me, quite a few years ago. Here’s a fairly hilarious illustration:

I always wanted to be on the Praise and Worship team at church, especially years ago. Think small choir behind the worship leader and beside the instruments. Now, I know my voice is only mediocre, but I absolutely love music. Love worshipping God. So what could be better than being part of the team that leads worship every Sunday and Wednesday night?

Why wouldn’t God want that for me? The opportunity didn’t arise, so I occasionally sang a song during the “special music” segment of church. I worked in women’s ministry, created a church newsletter, and continued developing my writing career.

But in the back of my mind and my heart was that desire to be part of the team.

One day, out of nowhere, our Pastor asked to speak to me for a moment after the service. About the worship team.

My heart overflowed as I waited for church to end. The time had come for me to take my rightful place, the desire of my heart.

We met in the front, and he said those magic words: “I’d like you to help out the Praise and Worship team on Wednesday nights.”

Wow. Finally.

Then he added, “Since we’ve added a big screen, we need someone to place the song transparencies on the overhead projector and change them for each song. You’ll be on stage. It’s an important part and you’ll really be helping us out.”

For you younger people, think of me on stage by this big machine, quickly laying down the transparent sheets with lyrics on them, and then changing to a new page for the next song.

Not exactly what I had in mind.

For the next nine months or so, I faithfully changed the lyrics. Sang with the team but without a mic. Then we bought a computer that showed the lyrics on the big screen, and I was out of a job.

I’d like to say that they noticed my faithfulness and asked me to join the team for real. But I’ve never been part of the Praise and Worship team of any church. God enjoys having me in the congregation, singing to Him with all my might.

My detour from my regular ministry to a nine-month stint on Wednesday nights had its value. God birthed in me a writing career beyond anything I could ask or think. I blog regularly, have published two novels, have had my own podcast, and have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people in the industry.

I cringe to think what could have happened if I’d had to spend a good portion of my time in music. My life would definitely be different.

So, whether you’re fighting against a detour in your life or longing for one, seek God. Listen for that still, small voice that leads you in the way that God would have you go.

Proverbs 16:9 (Amplified version) “A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.”

I thank God every day for His plan.