My husband and I took a quick road trip to Pittsburgh last week.

We were making excellent time as we traveled along Interstate 91 in Vermont. The sun was shining in the sky and there was barely any traffic. I was driving and may have been going slightly over the speed limit.  But I was making excellent time.

Until…

We came to the top of a hill and noticed the strangest sight.

There was one police car in each lane, lights flashing, preventing any cars from going around them. We had no choice but to brake and slow to their pace, which was around three mph.

No explanation. No sign ahead that might give a clue as to what was happening.  No road work.

Cars began to line up behind us and soon they stretched as far as the eye could see.  I thought the man behind us was going to have a stroke. He was yelling and gesturing, straining his head out the window to try to see the cause for the delay. The fact that he could see nothing was only adding to his frustration.

Still, we crawled along.

I must admit it was maddening. We had a 13-hour drive ahead of us and I was anxious to get back to a normal pace.

After a few minutes, we approached an exit. It was a familiar one to us, so we discussed taking it, having no idea how much longer this bumper-to-bumper traffic was going to last. However, it would have added a lot of time to an already monstrously long drive, so we decided to take our chances and stay on the highway.

Several other drivers fled for the exit as soon as they could (including the man behind us, who was still gesturing and yelling as he exited). I watched as he and the other drivers deserted the highway and wondered if we were making a huge mistake.

However, just less than two minutes later, we rounded the next hill and saw that our delay would soon be over.

Officials were moving downed power lines off of the highway.

It all became clear.

The officers had been protecting us. They possessed knowledge that we did not and acted accordingly.

As they pulled over and allowed us to resume the normal speed limit, I thought about the spiritual lesson that I had just learned.

How often have I been  going along in life, pleased with my progress, anticipating my destination…only to reach a roadblock that seemed to come out of nowhere?

Confusion reigns. I question Jesus, asking for answers and explanations. None are forthcoming. There seems to be no reason at all for the delay. I was making such excellent progress!!!!

I have a choice to make.

I can submit to His authority, resting in the fact that He is all-knowing, all-loving, and always has my best interest at heart. I can adjust my pace to His and trust His heart when I  do not understand His actions.

Or I can wail and rant and rave, looking for the nearest exit and take matters into my own hands, traveling along a path I wasn’t meant to wander.

If you are in a season of life where you have encountered a mystifying roadblock, trust the heart of Jesus. He sees the danger ahead. He is protecting you.

He is working it all out. He understands your frustration and desires a continual dialogue with you throughout the delay.  Share your thoughts and feeling with Him. Cast your worries and concerns onto His broad shoulders, which are big enough to bear the whole world. He can take it. Stay in His Word so you can hear His Voice reassuring and comforting you, as well as  providing much-needed  guidance and light for your path.

One day, the roadblock will be removed. No season lasts forever.

In the meantime, allow your heart to rest in His perfect love.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the One who will keep you on track. —(Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message)