The Long Road

I’ve decided to read through the Bible in one year, mainly because my husband challenged me to do it with him. But I haven’t done it for a while and well, I have an app for that. I would prefer to read out of my Bible but it’s pretty darn convenient to have it on my phone, it keeps track for me and I love that it checks a box when I’ve read each passage. I know, I’m crazy but I love to check boxes. It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.

Anyway, it’s been really good and I find myself challenged daily with God and His ways. Not to mention appalled because the Bible is messed up. I mean, talk about messed up stories and people. But not a lot has changed since then. People are still messed up and we still need God in a desperate way whether we like to admit it or not that’s how it is.

Yesterday I read Exodus 13: 17-18 and it stuck with me and I’ve been thinking about it a lot. It says,

¹⁷ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

I think it’s interesting and have seen it played out in my own life so often. God takes me through the desert or wilderness, not the short route because He knows that I need it to prepare me for whatever is ahead in the future. If I knew sometimes where God were taking me I would surely say “no thanks” I’m heading back to the land of comfort. Even though the Israelites were in bondage and were slaves to the Egyptians they wanted to go back more than once because it was comfortable and they knew what to expect.

I don’t always appreciate the wilderness when I’m there but I am so thankful God hasn’t allowed me to stay in my bondage. Because I walk by faith and trust Him I get to live a life of adventure and see Him do pretty incredible things. Because that’s what God does.

P.S. Another friend of mine blogged about this same topic. It’s worth the read. You can find it here. She’s a gifted teacher and always has great things to share.