Divine Detours: How God Directs Our Steps in Ways We Don't Even See

Sometimes we don’t realize it, but God is working in ways far beyond our understanding—right down to the smallest, most finite details. It’s not always obvious when it’s happening, but there are moments in life when we look back and go, “Wow, God really was in control the whole time.” My mom has a story that is a perfect example of how God orchestrates every step, even when we don’t see it coming.

It was the 1970s, and my parents were missionaries in Spain. We were living in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, at the time. Dad had been invited to attend a Teen Challenge Seminar in Switzerland, and his way was paid by missions. He really wanted Mom to go with him, so he decided to put her ticket on his American Express. The only problem? There were no more available seats on his original flight, so they had to change his flight time. Instead of leaving in the early morning, they were booked on a flight that left at noon, with a stopover in London for a few days before heading to Switzerland.

Nothing unusual, right? Just a simple change of plans. But what came next was jaw-dropping.

Once they arrived at their hotel in London, Dad turned on the TV, and they were shocked by the news. Two planes—a KLM and a TWA—had collided in Tenerife, resulting in one of the deadliest air disasters in history. Tenerife had become the alternative airport because of a b o m b explosion at the Las Palmas airport—the very airport Dad would have been at, picking up a magazine at the kiosk, if he’d stayed on his original flight.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Had Mom not gone with him, had their flight not been changed, and had they been at Las Palmas that morning as planned, who knows what could’ve happened? The very spot where Dad would’ve been was where the b o m b had exploded.

God, in His infinite wisdom and care, had directed their steps, down to the seemingly insignificant detail of a flight change. And because of that, my parents were kept safe. It wasn’t just coincidence; it was divine intervention.

God Is in Every Detail

Sometimes we don’t even realize how much God is directing our steps until we look back and see how all the pieces fit together. Mom’s story is just one example, but it makes me think—how many times has God redirected my path without me even knowing it? How many times has He saved me from danger or placed me exactly where I needed to be at just the right moment?

We don’t always get to know the “why” in the moment. Sometimes, it feels frustrating when plans change, or things don’t go the way we expect. But God’s plan is perfect, and He sees the bigger picture, down to the tiniest details that we often overlook.

God Is Working Behind the Scenes

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to have everything planned out and under control, but the reality is, we serve a God who is actively working behind the scenes. He’s orchestrating our steps in ways that we can’t always see or understand. The detours, the delays, the changes in plans—they’re often part of His divine protection or preparation for something greater.

God isn’t just concerned with the big, life-changing moments. He’s in the small, everyday moments, too. The missed flights, the closed doors, the changed schedules—they all serve a purpose, even if we don’t fully grasp it at the time.

Trusting God in the Unknown

The key is learning to trust Him when things don’t go according to our plans. Maybe today, you’re facing a change in direction or something unexpected that has thrown you off course. It’s in these moments that we need to remember: God is into every single detail of our lives. He’s directing your path, even when you don’t understand why things are happening the way they are.

Take comfort in knowing that He knows what He’s doing. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Just like my parents were safely rerouted, God is rerouting you for His purposes, too.

So next time a plan changes, or a door closes, take a breath and remember—God is working behind the scenes. He’s in every detail, guiding you, protecting you, and placing you exactly where you need to be.

Thankful for Divine Detours,

Tracee Padilla