Not the Shortest Route

 These days we have an easy way to navigate us to our next destination if we have a smart phone. We simply allow an app on our phone to show us how to get there. It gives us directions and verbally tells us every turn along the way until we arrive. However, it doesn't always send us on the shortest route. It considers the traffic and other factors to determine the best way to get there. Those apps are not fool proof, but they do save a lot of trouble most of the time. We need to let God do that for us on the road of life.

When Pharaoh finally sent the Hebrews out of Egypt, God took them out by an unusual route. (Exodus 13:17) God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though it was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God knew that if the people were faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. Therefore, he sent them out through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. I have a feeling that most of us have experienced God's detours in our lives.

When we come to know Christ, we are set free from the burden of our sins. We are made into new creations in Christ. Our hearts are changed and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. Then, we set out on the road of the Christian life. We want to get to be like Jesus as quickly as possible. We want God to take away all of the difficulties and just say the word so we will do everything just right. However, God knows that just doesn't work when He makes everything easy. If He does, we won't learn to walk with Him and depend on Him.

Therefore, God takes us on the route that is best for us to learn our lessons in the way we need to learn them. He keeps us away from the hard battles at first, until we have grown in our relationship with Him, and we have the strength to fight those enemies. He may take us through the wilderness, so we have time to spend with Him and grow, without having all the pressures of a busy life. All we have to do is to follow His road every day and not get impatient. After all, it takes a long time to make a strong oak tree, and that is what God wants us to be.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 14-16