The Delay God Used

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

Several years ago, I was part of a team preparing for one of our regular prison-ministry visits. We had planned the morning, gathered for a devotional and travelled to the facility expecting to spend time with the inmates through sport, conversation and the gospel.

There was one problem: it had been raining throughout the morning.

Rain may sound like a small inconvenience, but we knew that poor weather could affect whether the outdoor visit went ahead. It was raining as we made our way to the devotional meeting point. It was still raining when we prayed together afterwards and hurried to our cars. It continued as we drove toward the prison entrance.

We asked God to provide enough of a break in the weather for us to enter and complete the visit.

Another Obstacle at the Gate

When we arrived, the weather was not our only delay. Before we could enter, our team and vehicles were stopped for an additional security search.

At the time, this did not feel like an answer to prayer. It appeared to be one more thing standing between us and the ministry we had come to do. We were already concerned about the rain, and now the remaining time was being consumed at the gate.

Yet the search had to be completed, so we waited and cooperated.

By the time it finished, the sun had come out.

The delay that seemed likely to make our situation worse had given the weather time to clear. We entered without further complications and were able to spend the scheduled time speaking with inmates and sharing the gospel.

Plans Are Necessary, but They Are Not Sovereign

Proverbs does not criticise us for making plans. The man in Proverbs 16:9 devises his way. He considers where he needs to go and how he intends to get there.

Planning was also necessary for our visit. A team needed to be organised, clearances maintained, transport arranged and material prepared. Faithfulness does not mean arriving carelessly and expecting God to repair our lack of preparation.

But our plans are never sovereign. We can prepare responsibly without controlling the weather, the security process, another person’s decision or the timing of an interruption.

The second part of the verse restores the proper order: “the LORD directeth his steps.” We plan as servants, not masters of the outcome.

When the Interruption Looks Like the Enemy

I am often too quick to decide what an interruption means.

If something advances my plans, I am inclined to call it a blessing. If it delays them, I treat it as an obstacle. But that morning reminded me that I usually make those judgements before I can see enough of the story.

The security search was not pleasant or convenient, but neither was it meaningless. While we were waiting, another part of the situation was changing beyond our control.

Had we passed immediately through the gate, the rain may still have prevented the outdoor activity. Had we turned around in frustration, we would have missed the opportunity that followed. The appropriate response at the gate was simply to wait, cooperate and take the next step available to us.

Providence Without Presumption

I want to be careful about the conclusion I draw from this experience.

I cannot explain the purpose of every delay. Scripture does not permit me to tell someone that every cancelled plan will soon reveal a pleasant surprise. Sometimes a door remains closed. Sometimes rain continues. Sometimes faithful preparation does not produce the result we hoped to see.

Nor can I prove every unseen connection in that morning’s events. What I can testify is that we prayed for an opportunity, encountered an unwelcome delay, and found that the circumstances had changed by the time the delay ended.

It left me thankful and more cautious about judging an interruption too early.

God’s direction is not always visible while we are being directed. Joseph could not see the end of his journey while he was in the pit or the prison. Israel could not see a path through the sea before God opened one. Paul made plans to preach in one region and was redirected elsewhere (Acts 16:6–10).

Sometimes we recognise the direction only after looking back.

The Next Faithful Step

That prison gate taught me a modest but lasting lesson: when my plans are interrupted, I do not need to understand everything before acting faithfully.

I can pray. I can remain patient. I can treat people respectfully. I can cooperate with a process I did not expect. I can resist the temptation to complain. And when the next step opens, I can take it.

The Lord may remove the obstacle. He may use the delay. Or He may redirect the plan entirely. My responsibility is not to control which of those occurs. It is to commit the way to Him and remain faithful in the part I have been given.

That morning, the sun appeared while we were waiting at the gate. The interruption had not cancelled the opportunity. It had become part of its timing.

Prayer: Lord, I make plans with limited knowledge, but You see the whole way. When interruptions come, keep me from impatience and premature conclusions. Help me to plan responsibly, wait humbly and take the next faithful step. Whether You remove an obstacle, use a delay or redirect me entirely, teach me to trust Your wisdom. Amen.