Long Way Home

            I had to take the long way home a few nights ago.  I had to stop for milk, which meant I had to take another route to pass the grocery store.  It had been a long day, I was tired and grumpy and ready to fall into bed, and I just wanted to get home.  Can you relate?  When I finally made it to bed, I pulled out my Bible and God began to work. 

By the way, I’ve made it to Exodus!!!  (I didn’t skip Genesis…I just read it before I started this thing.  I hadn’t yet considered doing a blog, and by the time I made the decision, I was already with Moses in Egypt.  You’ll just have to pick up with me there!)

            Before I get ahead of myself, let me say -

Wow.  Tonight I’m overwhelmed.  I’ve been committed to my Bible study this week, and the Lord has been faithful to meet with me each day.  And WOW.  Our discussions have been out-of-this-world cool.  This past weekend my pastor encouraged us to really be in the moment, paying attention to what God wants to teach us throughout the day. He inspired me to be more present in God’s Presence.  I mean, I might read the Bible, but am I really paying attention to what God is saying?  Christ often said, “He who ears let him hear.”  Am I “hearing” and “seeing” all that He’s trying to show me? 

            That has been my goal for the week.  Every time I’ve opened the Word, I’ve prayed that I’ll reach farther for Him and the lessons He wants me to learn.  And He has answered my prayer abundantly!  He has been teaching and comforting and strengthening and opening my eyes with each chapter. 

            So, back to the other night… I read Exodus 13-14. At this point the Israelites have just gained their freedom from bondage in Egypt and are about to cross the Red Sea.  Three things melted into my heart as I explored these chapters.

1.     Sometimes the Lord takes us the long way around to get us home.

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

            Why did God do this?  To humor Himself as He watched them flounder in the desert and whine about their thirst?  No.  He took them this way so they wouldn’t become fearful of the Philistines, leading them to war or back to slavery in Egypt.  He did this for their benefit.

            Then I thought about getting home later than I had planned.  I wasn’t happy – and I may have complained about it as I pulled into my driveway.  So immature, I know.

Ironically, I found out the next morning that somewhere along my usual route to work there was a car accident at just the time I would have been coming home.  Had I not needed to stop for milk, I could have easily been in that accident.  Yet, God sent me the long way home and saved me from injury, despite my grumbling!

2.     God NEVER leaves us. 

v. 21-22: “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light…Neither the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

            He didn’t leave them to wander around on their own.  He not only chose the best route for them, He provided for them so that they could travel by day or night. 

            He does the same for us, but sometimes we don’t see it.  I might never understand the reason for the “long ways” in my life, but I can trust that He knows best for each of us.  And I think it’s important to remember that sometimes my experiences indirectly impact others around me – in ways I’ll never know!  He sees the big picture.  If He says to go one way, I can trust that He is sovereign and caring and will provide for me all that I need – and He’ll never leave me along the way!

3.     God doesn’t just promise deliverance; He promises to fight for me! 

14:13-14: “ ‘Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.’ ”

            Yep.  It brings to mind the old cliché: Pick your battles.  As I read this, I realized that I often fight battles that don’t need to be fought – or battles that I don’t need to be fighting.  I either pick fights when I’m upset, or I go ahead of God and act, and that never turns out well. 

            Friend, HE IS FIGHTING YOUR BATTLES.  The Creator and Orchestrator of the universe is fighting for you and me.  But, are you being still?  Or, are you fighting back?  When we act without His counsel, we aren’t just fighting the opposition, we’re fighting God.  Learn from my mistakes: Don’t.  Just be still.  Trust that He’s already got it under control, and in His perfect time, He’ll reveal the victory.

            Being still isn’t easy for a perfectionist like me.  I’m constantly worrying over little things, trying to fix problems, etc.  But I really think the big idea here is the issue of trust.  Do I trust God enough to say, “I don’t know why this is happening, and I might never know, but I know that You do.  You’re in control.  You’re working it out for me.  And it’s all good”? It’s a huge step, a difficult one.  One of surrender.  But it’s so worth it!