10/11/2026
I was talking with my sister on the phone the other night. She's navigating the unimaginable grief of recently losing her daughter, and as we talked about the difficult road she's walking, she said something that stopped me in my tracks.
"The Lord directs our steps."
Such a familiar truth. Yet, in that moment, those five little words carried a depth I hadn't considered before. We often think of the Lord directing our steps in terms of where He's taking us. We pray earnestly for direction when making important decisions, choosing which road to travel, or wondering what God has planned for our unknown future.
But what about the rugged, unforgiving roads we would never choose?
The unexpected diagnosis. The devastating loss. The carefully laid plans that unravel before our eyes. Those bewildering moments when life takes a turn so sharp we can scarcely catch our breath.
We innocently think of these unexpected turns as detours, unwelcome obstacles, or frustrating roadblocks that stand between us and the life we had envisioned. Sometimes, the roadblocks are there because we've stubbornly wandered from the path God intended for us to follow.
But what if some of the roads we've been desperately trying to avoid are the very roads God has deliberately chosen for us to walk?
What if what we perceive as an inconvenient detour is actually part of His divine design?
I've read Psalm 23 countless times over the years, but there's something about the way David describes the Shepherd's leading that takes on an entirely different meaning when we consider the roads God chooses for us.
"He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3 ESV)
What a comforting picture! We can almost imagine the lush, green pastures, the gentle sound of still waters, and the peaceful contentment of sheep resting safely beneath the watchful eye of their shepherd. It's the kind of journey we would gladly choose for ourselves.
David doesn't stop there. In the very next verse, the scenery changes dramatically.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." (Psalm 23:4 ESV)
Wait! What happened to those peaceful pastures and still waters? Suddenly, we're walking through a dark, foreboding valley where danger seems to lurk around every bend. Yet David never suggests that the Shepherd has lost His way or that he has somehow wandered beyond His care. The valley is simply another part of the journey.
Here's what I find especially beautiful. Notice how David's words change as he enters the valley. In the peaceful pastures, he speaks about the Shepherd: "He leads me." But in the valley, he speaks directly to Him: "You are with me."
Isn't that remarkable? Somewhere along that shadowy stretch of road, the conversation becomes more intimate. The Shepherd is no longer simply guiding his steps; His presence gives him courage to keep walking.
The same Shepherd who leads us beside still waters also walks with us through the darkest valleys.
🌊 This Is Not a Detour | When the Lord Directs Our Steps Through the Unexpected
There's so much more to this revelation, including what the Israelites' wilderness journey and a deeply personal experience taught me about God's sustaining presence.
❤️ Continue reading:
https://tr.ee/ThisIsNotaDetour
