Stop and Ask For Directions

Hey guys… Not you ladies… This is just for us guys, because we seem to be the ones who really don’t like to stop and ask for directions. The ladies seem to have this figured out, but still we like to try to figure things out on our own.

Take for instance… The story that came up in conversation today at lunch with my dad and my sister-in-law. The exact date of the story was August 25, 1978.… The day, my son, Jarod was born. It is a miracle story, actually but it didn’t start out so well.

Donna was in Greenville with my mom at my folk’s cottage. Donna was eight months pregnant for our second son and was not due to have the baby until the end of September. She called me at work to let me know she was in labor and she needed me to come and get her to bring her back home.

Dad and I reasoned between ourselves (not asking God if this was urgent) that we had all the time in the world to get to Greenville. So we stopped at Saranac to get an ice cream cone and stopped in Belding to look at a tractor. The trip that should’ve taken us an hour ended up being about two hours.

We met my mom at the end of the dirt road, leading to our cottage with Donna in the car having contractions three minutes apart. Needless to say my mom and Donna were in full panic mode. I headed back home with Donna in my mom‘s car, but decided to stop in Greenville first to have her checked out at the hospital.

For sake of time, I will not go into all the details. Just to say if I hadn’t stopped in Greenville, I would have lost Donna and Jarod in the car, on the way home. Donna’s delivery of Jarod ended up with a placenta quick rupture which should’ve taken both of their lives. But God had ordained for two doctors to be on call in Greenville both specializing in saving the mother and saving the baby during quick rupture deliveries.

Even though I did not stop and ask God for directions… Asking him what he wanted me to know… He still intervened and saved my wife and my son. This memory humbles me. It reminds me that while God is gracious and often rescues us, He also calls us to a better way: a life of dependence, of pausing to ask Him first.

One of the themes that stands out in the book of Joshua is the danger of making decisions without first asking God for directions. Even a leader chosen and anointed by God, like Joshua, was not exempt from this truth.

 Jericho and the Curse (Joshua 6)

After the miraculous fall of Jericho, Joshua pronounces a curse on anyone who would rebuild the city. But the text makes no mention of Joshua asking God for directions before declaring that curse. 530 years later in Israel’s history, this curse comes to pass (1 Kings 16:34), but it also reveals how even spiritual pronouncements need God’s direction, not human assumption.

 The Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7)

In chapter 7, Israel goes out to fight Ai. It seemed like a small and easy battle compared to Jericho, so Joshua does not stop to ask the Lord for guidance. Instead of victory, they experience a humiliating defeat. Hidden sin in the camp (Achan’s theft) was the true issue, but because Joshua didn’t inquire first, he led the people into unnecessary loss and despair.

 The Gibeonite Deception (Joshua 9)

Later, when the Gibeonites came with worn-out clothes and stale bread, Israel judged by appearances and signed a treaty without seeking God’s counsel. The result was a binding agreement with people they were supposed to drive out. What looked like compassion and wisdom turned into compromise and long-term consequences—because they did not ask God what He wanted them to know.

 Why It Matters Today

These three moments show us a sobering truth:

• Even after great victories (Jericho), we still need God’s counsel.

• Even in small matters (Ai), we still need God’s counsel.

• Even when things “look right” (Gibeonites), we still need God’s counsel.

Recently… I’ve tried to be more disciplined in not asking. “why” questions about the time it is taking for me to get my health and strength back. Instead, I’m trying to ask the Lord what he wants me to know about my current health situation. I am finding this hard to do, the longer it takes for me to get my health back. I have come to realize this season of my life is about building trust, building faith, and intentionally taking the time to listen to God’s voice and to not be in a hurry to listen for his answer. I am also learning to live in His moment by moment presence in my life… That he is always there to comfort and strengthen me and to speak life into every situation I face. There is no season, no situation, and no decision in my life where it is safe for me to bypass taking the time to listen for God’s guidance.

Conclusion

Joshua’s story, Jarod’s birth, and my health are all examples for us to learn from. We can’t rely on yesterday’s victory, our own instincts, or appearances. Every step requires His voice. The safest, wisest path is always to inquire of the Lord.

Lord? What do you want me to know about… ?

I’m asking You for Directions…

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Lamentations 3:25-26 The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.