We've heard that statement many times.  We often use it when we describe a difficult interpersonal or life situation that we may need help with.  The thing about it is that often times cynicism or sarcasm is lurking nearby.   
 
Hmmm...let's marinate on that.  James 3:5 says:  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  Our tongue is the small mechanism by which the sentiments of our hearts are formed, articulated and expressed.
 
Conversely, Luke 6:45 expresses the contents of a man's heart: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the  abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
 
I was almost in a terrible accident last week and Jesus literally took the wheel!  I was in the exit lane and a bronze Saturn cut over to exit the freeway to my left at the last minute.  To prevent them from hitting me, I sharply cut the wheel to the right, but the guard rail was there.  I sharply cut it back left then the car stopped.  They must not have seen me in their haste to get off of the exit.  If I would have kept driving, I would have collided with an SUV that was fast approaching from behind. 
 
I screamed in reaction to what I saw out of the corner of my eye, while God through his spirit took over and completed the tasks that I described above.  Me being the processor that I am, I didn't have time to think about what to do.  My car was rocking and unstable, but the movements of my hands were in complete control - Jesus took the wheel.
 
Modern Psychology will explain the process that took place as the intelligent design of the brain's capacity to take over and complete these tasks without actually....working in its normal functioning.  Uh - yeah...not buying that!
 
If there was any brain functioning in that moment, I thought to myself, this could be a really bad accident - Jesus!  All the while, the cutting of the wheel was happening at the same time.  It happened just that fast. 
 
I wanted to share this experience with you.  I'm sure many of you have stories of the miraculous works of Jesus in your lives.  I come to you as one who has been humbled by the mighty saving grace of God and giving a call to accountability to watch what we say.  Sarcasm has become ingrained in nuances of our daily conversation and is never acceptable when referring to the Lord.  The work he did on the Cross and that which does for us daily is not funny or lighthearted; therefore we must treat it as such.  Remember, as mentioned earlier the tongue is a little member but boasteth great things and can get us into a world of trouble! 
On the contrary, we can use this little member of our bodies to build up and share good news.  Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on the things that are true, honest, just pure, lovely, and of a good report. I am writing of my experience to focus not only on the grace God gave me in hindering an accident, but to encourage us to watch what we say.  It makes the world of a difference.
 
Father, we come to you in the Name of Jesus Christ thanking you for your grace, patience and love.  We appreciate all of the times you protected us from dangerous situations – some that we don’t know about.  Forgive us for using your name in vain by using cliches, joking around or being cynical outside of real situations where we really needed you.  We want to please you and be examples of light in the world to be used for your glory.  In Jesus Name – Amen.
 

I learned a tough and resounding lesson the other day while driving.  I wanted to get to my destination early to have enough time to get settled into my desk and not be rushed before the meetings, discussions and the rest of the day.  I approached my exit and was in the farthest right lane to proceed but there was one thing.  My exit was backed up a few miles before the exit and at a complete stand still. 

Now I consider myself a very patient person, but I really dislike bumper to bumper, inching along traffic!!!  I sat there for about a minute and contemplated what to do.  Why contemplate you ask?  Well, the remaining 4 lanes of traffic were crystal clear for some extended moments.  That clear terrain was just calling me.  There was not a car in sight! Why should I sit here eons away from my exit inching along, when there is another route that I could take.  It had a bit more city driving, but hey not much….right? 

 I make the decision to get over and check my rear view mirror.  Just as I was about to cut the wheel and accelerate, I notice a car approaching very quickly in my desired lane, so I stopped and let them pass.  Since I was at a complete stand still, I didn’t have enough time to accelerate with them behind me.  A few seconds another car was coming so I waited, but right after that one, I went for it.

Ahhh yes!  4 full lanes of clear driving.   I was on my way – doing it my way.  I drove for a half a mile around a long curve and there it was.  All four lanes filled with nothing but red lights and stopped cars! Whomp, whomp, whoooomp!  Goodness, I had forgotten about how happy I used to be getting off at my exit while those other unfortunate people were stuck in the inch-along.  Sometimes my exit would be a little backed up but not for long.  This day it was further down than what I was used to, but it still existed.  I was one of the other poor people stuck in traffic (at least in my sight) – I was the real unfortunate one! 
I was on the right path to get to my destination. 

At the exit I would have turned left and then a quick right, down the road a bit; another right and into the parking lot I should have gone.  2 to 3 minutes tops. I thought my way was so much better.  (Can you see where this is going?)  Here I was, up and out of the house, prayed up, praise music going, bopping along and then this.   

In Luke 13:28, Jesus talks about weeping and gnashing of teeth for those who do not make it into the Kingdom of God.  I reference here the gnashing of teeth which is an expression used for grinding one’s teeth in anger or frustration.  While the depth of this situation is not as finite as what he was discussing, it is based on our decisions and God wants his children to have minimal teeth gnashing moments. 
Here I was in the right place at the right time, going in the right direction. 

​ One decision made took me off course.  I was definitely gnashing my teeth!  There was instant frustration…that moment when you knew you did the wrong thing and there was nothing you could do about it.  I thought about driving on the median, but considered how unsafe that is and how much I dislike it when others do the same.  As in these telltale moments, I thought Jesus definitely wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t have been in this situation to begin with; he would have stayed in his lane!

After the initial shock wore off, lots of prayer and refocusing, I started to laugh at myself.  This was a clear example of remaining in the will of God.  He has chosen a path for us and often times we go on our own detours.  Think about the Children of Israel in the wilderness under Moses’ leadership.  Their journey was to take 40 days, but ended up being 40 years because of their complaining and disobedience.  See Numbers for a full example.

I’m pretty sure you get the gist of what God is showing through my decision.  This situation is a simple one that took me 15 minutes out of my way, but what if that choice turned it into years?   Often times we do not stop to think about such things – we only consider what is the best, shortest, and easiest for us when God knows in an ultimate way!

My original lane started to pick up and I sat there watching the cars that were lined up wiz by wishing I had not made this decision.  I made a poor assumption in getting over.  Once I made it off the highway, many others had the same idea I had and thus, more bumper to bumper traffic.  You could sense the frustration, not only my own, but of others trying to maneuver through and find shortcuts to our destination.  At least on the highway, people know what it is, but those of us trying to cut corners not so much!

It would be easy for someone to insert Romans 8:28 here:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
 
Let me tell you what this is not.  It’s not an opportunity for me to insert Romans 8:28.  By going my own way, I was not in his will but my own.  This was a minor situation in a sea of moments in a day, but we must think about fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives.  There are no detours, no shortcuts.  We don’t want to miss out on the pleasure in sharing his work in the earth and being in right standing when he returns! God is merciful and will be with us when we do step outside of his will, but he will permit some things to come forth because of our decisions.  That’s totally his perspective.

I will end this entry by encouraging you.  Many may be in situations where the wrong decision has been made.  Instead of an added 15 minutes to a morning commute, the consequence may be a child outside of marriage, a broken relationship or even incarceration.  All disobedience is disobedience in God’s sight. I have made my share of wrong decisions and found myself in this position too.  No matter what the situation may be, God loves us and says so in his Word:

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
​
He manifested himself in the flesh as a person, Jesus Christ to show us his love and be an example of staying in the right lane.  He ultimately died being accused of sin, but was sinless. 
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life” (Psalms 26:6a). Despite my decision, God’s grace still kept me while I was on the detour and does the same for all of his children.

No matter what detour we find ourselves on, the key is to get back into alignment.  He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead guide and direct us.  Those cars that came out of nowhere were symbolically like him whispering to me not to get over but to stay in my lane.  Although sometimes we choose not to listen, he is always there giving us instruction.  Why?  Because of his love for us! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).  As long as we keep Jesus Christ in front of us, we can do all things…even when we detour.  We must understand the lesson and choose otherwise every other time (Repent).  It is possible for all of us!

Heavenly Father, we pray for everyone that finds themselves in a detour in life.  We know that you gave us the ability to choose and you want us to choose you each time.  Forgive us of choosing the shortcut or easiest way to complete something and show us the way you would have us to go.  We want to be in your will in all that we do.  For the person who has lost hope in the detour, I pray that they see the light that shines from your spirit that dwells in them right now in the Name of Jesus.  You are our hope.  You are our peace and with you, we will get back to the right path – the path of righteousness.  In honor of your name Jesus we pray – Amen.