Life is much like a vast highway with countless lanes, each one representing different paths, opportunities, and decisions. As we drive along, it’s easy to feel anxious about when and where to exit. We are tempted to take the nearest exit when things seem uncertain or uncomfortable, or when we feel we’ve been driving too long–certainly we’ve reached our destination.
However, exiting too early can send us in the wrong direction, far from where God intends for us to be. The key is to keep moving forward!
Just as a driver relies on signs to know when to turn off the road, we too need to rely on God’s direction to guide us through the highways of life. Exiting too soon, or from a place of impatience, can lead us astray. But when we wait for God’s signal, His perfect timing, we find that the journey has been preparing us for the destination He’s chosen. God has a unique exit, one that He’s designed specifically for you, and He knows exactly when you should take it.
God knows what’s best for you, and His plan is perfect.
Here are a few important reflections to keep in mind as you travel this road of life:
1. Be sensitive to God’s timing.
To know when to exit, we must stay attuned to God’s voice. This requires a sensitive heart, one that is actively seeking and listening for His guidance. It’s easy to get caught up in the noise of the world—pressures to move faster, to achieve more quickly, to have all the answers.
But God’s ways are not the world’s ways, and His timing is not always our timing. Being sensitive to His voice helps us discern when it’s time to make a move and when it’s time to stay the course. We must develop the patience to wait for His still, small voice to guide us.
Listen to God’s voice so you know when it’s truly time to exit.
2. Avoid taking the exit too early.
There are moments when life’s detours and obstacles make us want to find the quickest way out. But taking the exit too early can lead us down a path God never intended for us. An early exit might seem convenient at the time, but it can lead to unnecessary confusion and delay in fulfilling our purpose.
Trust that God sees the whole picture, even when you don’t. What feels like waiting to you is often preparation. God is equipping you for what’s to come, and if you rush the process, you might miss out on crucial lessons and growth.
3. Stay in your lane until it’s time.
When life gets tough, the temptation to swerve into another lane or take a shortcut is real. But if it’s not yet your time, stay in your lane. God has a plan, and He knows the road ahead, even when you can’t see what’s around the bend. The lane you’re in might seem slow, but God knows where it leads. He is preparing you for your next season, so don’t be discouraged by the pace. He will open the right doors at the right time. Your only responsibility is to remain faithful and patient.
Think of a highway with multiple exits. Some are designed for others, and some are designed for you. You could try to take another person’s exit, but it won’t lead you to your destination. God has crafted a route that is uniquely yours, and it’s vital to trust that He knows the exact timing for your exit.
Psalms 37:3-9 NIV perfectly captures this trust in God’s plan:
3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
This passage is a powerful reassurance that God’s plan is not only for our good, but that it comes with promises of blessing. Trusting in the Lord doesn’t just mean accepting His timing, but also continuing to do good while we wait. “Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture,” the Psalm says. While you wait for your exit, find joy in the journey. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Sometimes we get so focused on reaching our destination that we forget to enjoy the road we’re traveling on.
The waiting season is never wasted.
Waiting can feel like a waste of time, but in God’s eyes, it’s a season of preparation. He is shaping your character, refining your heart, and aligning your desires with His. The waiting season is often where the most growth happens. It’s in the waiting that you learn to trust God deeply, rely on His wisdom, and grow in your faith.
Remember, God is never late. He is always right on time. Even when things don’t seem to make sense, He’s working behind the scenes, setting the stage for your next move. Don’t fret when others seem to be exiting sooner or achieving success quicker. Their journey is not your journey, and their exit is not your exit. Trust that God’s plan for you is unique and will be revealed in His perfect timing.
Final thoughts
The journey you’re on is not about speed or shortcuts; it’s about faithfulness. Stay on your lane, keep moving forward, and wait for the perfect exit God has planned for you. He will make a way when it’s time, and when He does, it will be far better than any exit you could have chosen on your own. In the meantime, commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn.
God’s timing is always perfect. Keep driving, stay in your lane, and trust that He will bring you to your destination in His way and in His time.
