Trust God, Love People: A 5-Day Reading Planনমুনা

The Long Way Around

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Exodus 13:17

God didn’t take the Israelites through the shortest route to the Promised Land. He could have. He could have led them through Philistine country and right into a battle. We know full well how He could have allowed the Israelites to win the war against the Philistines and keep right on toward the land flowing with milk and honey. Instead, He took them the longer, safer way around the fighting, and through the wilderness.

He doesn’t always lead us on the shortest path. Or, quite frankly, on the path that makes the most sense to us. His ways are indeed higher and He sees what’s up ahead, while we are limited to only see what’s right before us.

While wandering in my own wilderness seasons, I often questioned God asking why He was taking so long to act. I waited for three years to have children when I faced infertility. I waited for two and a half years for our daughter Sylvie to come home after we said yes to adoption. In both cases, the wait was long and hard and depleting.

Yet, now. Now, I can look back on the path God chose for me and see His mighty hand. He led me in His mercy and wisdom on the longer route in order to change my heart and build my faith. If I had taken the shorter route, I would have missed out on all of the miraculous ways He displayed His power and glory. I would have missed out on my story. The broken and shattered path that led to my very own version of His blessed Promised Land.