In our travel experiences, we have taken numerous detours to reach our destinations. Have you thought of all the plans and efforts undertaken to carefully place detour signs near road construction sites? The purpose of these detour signs is to direct drivers to make appropriate turns to avoid/bypass work sites on their journey. Nowadays, the use of GPS technology continues to make our travel experiences easier, with improved navigation and notification mechanisms. The use of printed maps has become a thing of the past!
According to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of the word detour is “the route taken to avoid something or to visit somewhere along the way.” In the Advent story, the two aspects of the definition [evasion and visitation] are both portrayed. The wise men traveled a long distance, following the star, to worship the newborn king. The star was their GPS!
Excitement, anticipation, and expectation were all intertwined and together fueled their long journey to Jerusalem. As they approached Jerusalem, they took a detour to search! As a result, their inquiries for the newborn king of the Jews created unrest in the palace as well as in the whole of Jerusalem (Matthew 2:3). Herod acclaimed himself king and did not anticipate a rival. The thoughts and intents of his heart only served to elevate his pride.
I believe that a divinely appointed detour brought the wise men to Herod. The One who discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12) presented Herod with an opportunity to reason and align his stand. Sadly, pride overshadowed this invitation to acknowledge and delight in the good news. What a solemn scene, the divine visitation rejected! It is sobering to think we could find ourselves preoccupied while missing encounters that are presented for our good. May we always be on alert to discern divinely appointed detours.
In 2002, excitement filled our home as we approached the birth of our first child. Initially, we dismissed the idea of knowing the gender of our baby. When questions regarding gender arose, our response echoed a “healthy beautiful baby.” But as the due date approached, we changed our mind and wanted to know. After hours of ultra-sound and many attempts to find a good visual perspective, the doctor was not able to make a determination. The baby was sound asleep and wouldn’t move! We were advised to retry after two weeks.
While waiting for that next appointment, my wife felt an unbearable pain around her lower abdomen. She was admitted to the hospital. Looking at multiple wires and hookups running over her swollen body was an overwhelming sight. Two lives were in jeopardy. The prayers of family and friends were raised to the throne of God! While administering medications and monitoring both the mom and the baby, an urgent decision was made to deliver the baby by caesarian section (C-Section). A sense of chaos filled the air; there was no time to spare! My wife was transferred from her hospital bed to a stretcher and off to the delivery/operating room. As nurses and doctors were rushing to the operating room, we [my sister-in-law and I] asked if we could pray. Our request was declined fearing the worse due to a slight delay. As we held the stretcher, I offered my shortest prayer: “God, take charge.”
As the anesthetist and the doctor were getting ready for the procedure, a nurse shouted, “I see baby’s head.” Everyone in the room rallied with excitement, echoing the delivery room chanting – breathe and push! After a few minutes of pushing, a beautiful, premature (34 weeks) baby girl was welcomed!
I was asked to accompany the baby as she was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). After all the procedures and admissions, I was asked what the baby’s name would be. I wasn’t prepared for this question. But, it gave me a chance to ponder all the events that had taken place, while trying to connect and derive some meaning.
“Oh, yes, her name will be MILIKIT,” I told the nurse. I believed this unexpected adventure was a divinely appointed detour, a chance to see God’s providence and experience signs of assurance that God is still at work. Milikit is an Amharic name that means a sign – a sign from God.
For me, the Advent season presents an opportunity to discern and reflect on the unexpected detours through which I have come to experience the closeness of God [Immanuel, God with us]. This motivates me to spread love and comfort, strengthen hearts, and affirm my faith through obedience. I hope and pray this holds true for you as well.
Bereket S. Data, originally from Ethiopia, resides in Riverside with his dear wife (Azmara Chemo) and two daughters (Milikit, 17, and Taytan, 15). He works as a software engineer for a healthcare technology company in Glendale.