Dark gray skies hung over the skyline. Persistent rain fell across the entire city as we headed for home. Traffic snarled and crept alone, making the drive even more miserable. Signs appeared along the edge of the freeway announcing a construction zone ahead. Deep sighs escaped our lips as we prepared for more delays. I settled back, realizing the way in front of us had stopped completely. Why were so many roads under construction all the time? Just as one project finished, another one started. It felt like a never-ending cycle of traffic congestion for a motorist.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Sometimes, it feels like my life is always under construction as well. I begin to think I have my Christian walk all figured out; then it feels like God digs up the road in front of me and reroutes me. I want the pathways of my life to be easy and the journey to be comfortable. As soon as I think I have my life all figured out, God wants me to send me on a detour out of my comfort zone. At first, these deviations can make the journey feel tiring as I find myself questioning what God is trying to do.
My Construction Zone
God moved me out of my comfort zone years ago as I started to go on mission trips. The new adventures felt unnatural, and I struggled at first trying to understand the purpose. Finally, I learned to love it. One day, I entered another of God’s construction zone. God called me to share my experiences with others through writing and speaking. This new venture made me uncomfortable once again. I had much to learn on this brand-new path. But, over time, I started to enjoy my new route in life.
Hebrews 3:4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
Once I moved beyond God’s construction areas, I looked down the road and saw the beauty of the new route. The more I allowed God to change me, the more I noticed how His construction improved my life. As part of the process, God smoothed over the potholes of my sin. The blood of Jesus acted like fresh tar to cover the damage of my sinful ways. The restructuring provided me a new direction and a renewed sense of purpose.
Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
Are you experiencing a time in God’s construction zone currently? Hold on, God’s plans for your life are far better than anything you imagine. He will mold you and shape you to fulfill His purpose. And, sometimes He will remold you and reshape you for another goal. We are the clay in the potter’s mighty hands, and He will form us for His plans. I pray for you and your journey. May your ways clear and may the Lord continue to bless you.
Blessings,
Yvonne – #blogger, #speaker, and #author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, go to help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc
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I love this: “Once I moved beyond God’s construction areas, I looked down the road and saw the beauty of the new route. The more I allowed God to change me, the more I noticed how His construction improved my life.”
Thanks Nancy. I appreciate your thoughts
We hit all those constructions zones too Yvonne, in a big loop from Salt Lake, into South Dakota, and back. Major delays everywhere. And on a personal, spiritual level, when I started a Bible study at work, then when I started writing. Yes, it is amazing to look back and down the road and see God at work (in us and through us). And we don’t get to see that until we take those steps outside of our comfort zones. I totally tracked with this post, Yvonne.
Thanks Stephen. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts on this blog. God bless
Your posts are so encouraging Yvonne. This is so for me. Thanks!
Thanks Ava. I appreciate you visiting and commenting
Great message Sister and very encouraging thanks!
Thanks Stephen. God bless
Yvonne, this is an excellent analogy, as heavy traffic and construction delays are a part of my daily life in the area in which we live. I am still learning to rest in the Lord’s plan when it takes a pace or direction I’d rather avoid. I know His plan is good – for His glory and my good. The scriptures you shared help anchor my heart when my emotions get the best of me. Bless you!
Thanks Melissa. God is our strong anchor. God bless
“As soon as I think I have my life all figured out, God wants me to send me on a detour out of my comfort zone.” Yes, I relate to this, Yvonne. I think the only thing I like about being under construction is knowing God is doing a work in me, even though at the time it’s not fun or comfortable. And I get impatient when the detours come and I really wanted a direct route. I like how you conclude that you saw beauty in God’s new route and how His construction improved you! Yes!
Thanks Karen. No one likes the detours until we reach the new place God has planned for us. God bless
Yes, construction is often inconvenient and trying, but God is always building something good in us.
He is our the master builder and we can always trust His plans. Thanks and God bless
I think this state of eternal construction could rightly be called: The Christian Life. This is the norm, really, since we’re all in the process of being sanctified. I’ve reached that place so many times, where I think I have the Christian life all figured out, and then, THEN, the Lord tears up the road in front of me, just as you said. Then, there they are, all of our weaknesses and areas in need of growth showing up all over the place. We couldn’t see them when we were comfortable in our practices, but now, here they are for all of us to see. I think the older we get, the more the Lord must strip us to the bones to bring us face to face with him as we really are. He prepares us for heaven.
So well said Melinda. The construction does open our weaknesses so they can have the light of Christ can expose them. We do need to be continually strip and repaired. Thanks and God bless
Thanks for this Yvonne, God’s faithfulness is such a great thing to trust in anytime we are in one of these “construction times.” I have learned (repeatedly) that His blueprints are always better than mine!
Amen Beth. Thanks and God bless
Thank you for this reminder, Yvonne! The biggest pain of construction zones is waiting. I remember how ugly traffic was during the “T-Rex” project on the only major north/ south highway into downtown Denver. The waiting was excruciating and tempers flared. Yet now, on the other side, we have a much smoother running highway that better handles traffic, even accidents. I’m in a season of waiting as I enter school and a possible engagement. But he is beautifully building me into the woman he wants me to be!
Amen Candice. Praying for patience for you in your time of waiting. God bless and thank you
The greatest peace in my life came when I learned to embrace life as a continual place of healing, learning, and growing. I didn’t have to fear the “construction zone,” but could find God’s purposes in it. Blessings!
That is a wonderful place to be in life. Thanks and God bless