Detours (B & H Books, 2017)
Detours: The Unpredictable Path to Your Destiny is the most recent book from Dr. Evans, founding and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas. The word detour implies there’s a destination, or destiny. Specifically, destiny involves bringing glory to God as “people come into contact with Him through our words, spirit, emotions, or actions.” And it’s a normative reality that a life of faith includes detours. In fact, Dr. Evans notes, detours are God’s modus operandi- His default mode for guiding us. Furthermore, whether we like it or not, God designed detours for our good. That realization enables us to take trusting steps of faith.
Yet, breaking us of our own ambitions and independence signals a painful process. However, we need to praise God in our pain, even if that praise consists of a faint word falling off our parched lips. For God uses tests to reveal and accurately diagnose the condition of our heart. As a result, a test always brings truth to the surface. Thus, that allows growth to occur in a spirit of honesty. God loves us too much to let us keep walking down the wrong path or in the wrong direction. The key, then, to making it through testing = intimacy with the Lord.
When your preparation meets God’s purpose, you’re ready to move from detour to destiny. In addition, once God’s prepared and developed you – even broken you- God’s providence comes out of nowhere- suddenly! Dr. Evans describes God’s providence as a “word punctuated by truth and postulated by accuracy.” Consequently, looking through the lens of providence enables you to experience the victorious Christian life and abundance Christ died to provide. But, you never see all there is to see when dealing with the providence of God. And the things you do see often don’t connect.
Even so, God brings harmony to discord and turns disappointment into destiny. Maintaining the right perspective keeps you going despite life’s circumstances. Then, when evil inevitably shows up, we need to place God in the equation for good to come out of it. Also, as Dr. Evans points out, God doesn’t just work around negative things, God works in the negative thing. Furthermore, sometimes you need negative potential in your life experiences to take your further than you’d go on your own. Dr. Evans concludes with these final comments on your unpredictable path:
“Your destiny and kingdom purpose often involve both a hookup and a hope to people beyond yourself. Look for both as God guides you. Pray for both as you wait patiently. Sharpen your faith, hone your skills, seek His face, and He will move you from detour to destiny. Keep your eyes wide open . . .”
