Detours and Delays: God’s Still at Work

Driving home from Mitchell last week, I was reminded of one of those humorous South Dakota truths: we really only have two seasons—winter and construction. We are well into construction season now and though we may mutter under our breath in frustration as we bounce down a recently torn up road or follow a long line of traffic merging into a single lane, we all know that this is an important season. Without a careful plan of maintenance and repair, our roads would become unusable.

So as I waited, not so patiently, in that long line on highway 81, my mind began to wander and it struck me: construction season is actually a pretty good metaphor for life. We are all under construction, and just like roadwork, our own personal growth involves disruption, delays, and detours.  But the good news is that God has a plan, even when we can’t see the next step.  God sees the whole map and knows where every detour leads.  We are reminded of this in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

As you live through your own construction zones—those times when you feel like everything is being torn up or rearranged, unexpected challenges come up, or things just seem to be in the way, remember that you are not alone.  The truth is, we’re all a work in progress. Sometimes, that progress is slow and messy. But that doesn’t mean God has stopped working.

And one of the gifts God gives us during our construction season is community. A church family can be like a good road crew—helping to steady us when the path is rough, walking with us through detours, and reminding us to trust the plan. We support one another, pray for one another, and sometimes hold up a sign that says, “caution” or “slow.”

Construction zones are inconvenient and often things get worse before they become better. But they have a purpose.  In the same way, the struggles we go through can shape us, stretch us, and strengthen us. Romans 5 says, “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” I don’t know about you, but that gives me comfort. God isn’t just patching up potholes—He’s building something lasting in us.

So the next time you’re stuck behind a line of traffic or rerouted by a road crew, maybe say a little prayer—not just for safe roads, but for a patient and willing spirit. Because in the end, we’re all under construction and with God in charge of the project, it will be worth the wait.