Back Roads To Belonging By Kristen StrongSample

Kristen Strong: Back Roads to Belonging Devotional Day 2

“Take a Back Road to Belonging”

Scripture reading: Exodus 14

When we’re on the outside looking in, it takes courage to resist going down the familiar roads we’ve traveled before. This is something the Israelites knew more than a little about.

In Exodus 14 we read that Moses and his people, having been freed from captivity, are being led onward by the Lord, away from Egypt. But then Pharaoh changes his mind and goes after the Israelites. Upon seeing the might and power of Pharaoh’s army barreling down on them as they camp near the Red Sea, the Israelites panic and regret their decision to follow Moses.

They exclaim, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 

Moses responds, “Fear not, stand firm. . . . The LORD will fight for you” (Exodus 14:12–14, ESV).

Then the Lord unzips the Red Sea’s waters so the Israelites can cross. Once they reach the other side unharmed, he brings the waters back together again over the Egyptian army.

The Israelites were scared, yes, but they leaned in to this promise: The Lord will fight for you. And they moved forward.

The Lord who made a way for the sea to swallow an army is the same Lord who will make a way for you to find your own belonging place. We must bravely take that first step forward as we hold the hand of trust. We must believe God has a special road just for you and me, where we won’t get lost and where we’ll find our place of belonging. 

As you and I wander the back roads by remaining in Christ and relaxing into his role for us, we’re able to stop giving in to pride or panic. We’re able to slow down and breathe and, like the Israelites, move forward. We don’t need to rush ahead, demanding to be seen. We don’t need to withdraw behind walls and doors, believing it’s the best option. We can take the third way: the purposeful back-road way that asks us to simply focus on God’s plan for us today.

Belong blessing: May you know Jesus goes with you as you step out in courage to find your own back road to belonging, for you—like the Israelites—do not travel alone.