Roadblocks for Your Success

Have you ever found yourself up against a roadblock in life? Maybe you are there right now? Everything was going great when all of a sudden the road you were travelling had been all washed out—end of the road, which way do you go? What do you do now?

I found myself confronted by a roadblock a while back—a very difficult situation at the time. I had been serving within God’s plan but His time had arrived for me to move on to new horizons—to step into a new plan—to follow a new road.

His means of getting me into that new plan was not something that I enjoyed at the time as it meant going through a season of financial distress. It meant having to trust God to help us through. It was a tough time and we could’ve stepped completely away from God but chose to stay the course and discover what God had in store.

Within a few weeks, doors of ministry opportunities began to swing open and before long a local church had called me to be their pastor—not the road I would’ve followed on my own but the road God had planned for my wife and I—not an easy road but a road that has taught me a great deal about trusting God in all things; always knowing He has His path for us to follow if we will simply listen and obey.

In Acts 15 and 16, we find Paul heading out from Jerusalem on another missionary excursion. He had plotted his course. His intentions were set—but God had something different in mind—a new adventure was in the making. Acts 15:6-7 tells us: “They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them” (HCSB).

I imagine Paul was a bit bewildered by the roadblocks. Why was God thwarting his plans? He thought he was following God’s will—but it wasn’t working out for him. Have you ever been there? You know what I am talking about? Maybe you are trapped in situations right now that God is using to change your course? Are you listening to Him? Are you seeking His direction or do you just continue bumping against the roadblocks?

The Scripture goes on to tell us why God put up the roadblocks. It says that “during the night a vision appeared to Paul: a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, ‘Cross over to Macedonia and help us!’ After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to evangelize them” (Acts 16:9-10). God had a new adventure for Paul that would be used to expand the kingdom of God—reaching new people with the message of salvation! And Paul’s obedience allowed this to happen.

The roadblocks in your path are not there to discourage you. God uses them to guide you down His chosen path for your life. He places them at intersections where you must choose between His path of new adventures or continue treading down a dead-end road. You won’t necessarily see where He is taking you but when you get there, it will be fantastic!

Scripture Reading: “My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:1-12 HCSB).

Prayer: Father, I find myself discouraged at times as I try to move forward only to discover my path has been blocked. Help me to realize that You often have other, better, plans for my life. You see the whole picture and guide me in the direction that is most beneficial to the cause of building Your kingdom. I pray You would give me patience to endure what may at times appear to be hardship when it is truly just You making the necessary adjustments in me necessary to prepare me for the road You want me to follow. I love You and thank You for always guiding and directing my life…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!