Nougat 19

Sending a very special blessing to the men on this platform; especially those who have fathered their own and/or other children. May your day be full of the joy parenting brings.

How has this story of the unnamed prophet impacted you? Have you had new insights, can you see the connection to our ‘*What*’? If you’ve been enjoying the saga, I promise you – it’s not done as yet. Keep reading … Today’s Holy Nougat

“So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭13:10‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Do these words sound familiar? Would you say it’s reminiscent of Matthew 2:12? Granted, it occurred long after this saga between Jeroboam and the prophet. But we might be more familiar with these instructions being given to the Magi during Jesus infancy. Do you remember it now?

The Magi searched for Jesus and initially encountered Herod, whom they asked for information on Jesus and his possible whereabouts. When they were to return home; God advised them to take another route. Recognizing the directive as part of their What, they obeyed.

Of course, we recognize that they were fully attuned to God, Whom they trusted unhesitatingly. And yes, I realize that they were more about stargazing and following the star to meet The Star. Nevertheless I believe their quest underscores their desire to follow God’s leading.

For those of us who might not be as attuned to God’s Voice or Guidance, how do we know the Way God’s set for us for our What? For some of us, it’s through the Word, Which directs our lives. Others may have a niggle, that we may recognize afterwards as God’s Voice. And a few of us ‘get it’ when our carefully constructed plans go awry.

It wasn’t as important an outcome as the case of the prophet; but I had such a moment recently. I needed a document and finally figured it out and prepared to make an online payment. My day was already very hectic and I was close to being frustrated. And the payment was rejected. No worries, I clicked the back button and was taken Back To The Very Start of the Process. I sighed and redid. The system timed out and I had to start again.

At that point, frustration hit, and I recall crying out to Jesus and asking Him for a break. Almost immediately I remembered that usually when I meet such roadblocks I was missing something. I exhaled loudly and began reading the process with a critical eye. You guessed it – major mistake! I’d messed up the delivery details!!! I fixed it, breathed a thank You Jesus and continued, this time with one ear intentionally listening to God’s Spirit. I was not disappointed. God showed me something that could help simplify the process. But

I had to shift my ‘route’ (ie do yet another ‘Back’).

That return via another route saved me future hassle AND money although it was a bit more roundabout (since I wasn’t fully attuned to God).

Sometimes it’s a different type of route change; because our *What* influences our Where. And most of all, our Who always informs our What. For God is our Who.

May the delays and detours we face prove to be God’s path for our lives.

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May all we seek be found in Christ