Taking the Long Way

It’s human nature to look for shortcuts. We want the quickest, surest route to our destination. Delays, detours and dead ends are frustrating and discouraging.

Consider this: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer. God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 13:17-18, NRSV).

The Red Sea looked like a fatal wrong turn, but God was protecting the Israelites. He had a plan in place to lead them to the Promised Land.

When God seems to prefer delays and detours in your life, keep in mind that the long way just might be better.