As the years go by, I notice that I struggle more with accepting and adjusting to life’s unexpected detours. Many times, I carefully make plans, set goals, and map out my course, only to encounter closed doors or blocked paths. It is not always easy to trust God while walking the wavy path of life, but I have found that God never abandons me in the detour. In Acts 16:1-10, Paul and his companions kept getting redirected by God, until they end up in Macedonia, a place they had not planned to go. Yet, they were willing to trust the direction of their spirit-led mission, surrender to how God was leading them, and pivot as needed.
We have all probably had those “Paul moments”—times when the door we so desperately wanted to walk through was firmly shut. Maybe it was a job, a relationship, an opportunity we were so sure was the next big step, but God said, “not this one.” It is tough to live a life of obedient to God only to face closed doors repeatedly. It is challenging to pursue a life marked by love and grace, only to encounter people that push back instead of welcoming us. So, how do we live with that? How are we expected to adjust every single time? Having said that, in hindsight, have you noticed that some closed doors save us from something worse, or led us to something better? That is God’s hand at work.
In today’s Gospel, John 15:18-21, Jesus reveals another layer of the challenge of discipleship. He said that those who walk in His ways and live by His teachings naturally stand out—they love differently, act differently, and prioritize differently. With that difference comes rejection, being misunderstood, or even disliked. We have all probably had some “John 15 moments” too—times when speaking up about our faith was met with awkward silence or ridicule, or moments when choosing kindness in a world that values dominance felt lonely, or times when standing firm in our convictions left us mocked, ignored, or dismissed. Yet, every obstacle, every detour, and yes, every rejection shapes us and moves us forward. When doors close, God opens new ones. When others push us away, God stays with us, reminding us of who and whose we are. Jesus did not sugarcoat anything—living out our faith authentically may not always bring applause or a loving and positive response, but it is always worth it.
Can we place our trust in God’s way, even when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable, believing God has designed our path for a greater good and our best interest in mind? How might it look to boldly bring God’s love into places and among people who may not accept it? What would it be like to find genuine peace, simply knowing we are following in Christ’s footsteps? How would it feel to live and speak as Christ did, without letting the fear of rejection hold us back?
Merciful God, help us lean on your strength and trust in your love for us when the way feels difficult.
Amen.
Vivian Amu
I am an alumna of Creighton University. My Jesuit education has taught me to live a more reflective life and find God in every moment. I am originally from Nigeria, West Africa. Currently, I live in the heart of the Midwest in the United States. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I enjoy cooking, watching movies and baking shows. I love reading a good mystery novel. I have read all books written by Agatha Christie and all books in the Sherlock Holmes series. I enjoyed every one of them.
I enjoy writing because it feels like free falling with trust into the arms of God. I find freedom, life, and beauty in praying with poems and scripture. I also contribute to the Living Faith devotionals and feel a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to be a contributor to the Creighton University online ministry reflection webpage.
