October 16, 2026 – Daily Devotional
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Every morning, when I leave my house for work, I drive on a long, straight highway. As I come down the on-ramp, I push the accelerator down and join the flow of traffic. With my music loudly playing, I reach maximum speed. My goal is to reach my destination quickly. My drive is mostly a direct east-to-west drive. However, toward the end of my morning commute, there are large blinking signs, suspended over the road, that read “Sharp Curve Ahead.”
Those signs are not there by accident. They are there to prevent accidents. After many straight miles, the highway takes a significant turn. Most days the drivers negotiate this curve with ease and grace. However, sometimes this sharp bend catches drivers off guard, and vehicles careen out of control. If you focus only on the destination, this unexpected change in the journey can quickly cause problems. Even if you don’t have an accident, and I hope nobody does, this sharp curve will slow down the trip.
We all experience sharp curves in life. We could be running straight and smooth for quite some time when the road ahead of us takes a detour. Sudden changes cause us anxiety, pain, loss, and so much more. The unplanned events in life are often difficult for us to negotiate because we are not looking for them. Unfortunately, life does not come with large yellow signs and flashing lights to warn us about changes that are ahead.
As a people of faith, we must ask ourselves how we best handle the unexpected curves in the journey of life. The Apostle Paul wrote these simple instructions for our journey: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” Paul’s writing encourages us to keep our focus on God, stay in communication with God, and remember that, even when we experience detours, we have much to be grateful for. Today, as you drive to work, plan your next adventure, and travel life’s highway, remember God’s love for us all, give thanks, and keep your eyes on the One who will lead us in love through every sharp turn in the road.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
