Detour Ahead
When is the shortest route not the shortest route?
“…even though that was the shortest route…” [Exodus 13:17]
“Road work ahead. Expect delays!” I do NOT like to see that sign when I am traveling! You know what I’m talking about: That flashing sign miles in advance that warns you of a delay. Then about the time you get to the road construction, another sign appears instructing you to follow the “detour” signs. By this time, I’ve had enough and I’m ready to find an alternate route! No delays! No road construction! No detours! Oh, I know that road improvements are absolutely essential…just not when I’m traveling!
Ever experienced a detour in life? If you are like me, you have probably experienced more than one. It seems like every time, just as I’m making a little progress in the construction zone of my life, God sends me on a detour.
The children of Israel experienced this too on their journey toward the much-anticipated Promised Land. After miraculously escaping from the tyranny of the Pharaoh of Egypt, they find themselves in the wilderness! Though their destination is the Promised Land, God does something that seems bizarre—he takes them on a DETOUR! Seriously God? Just get us to the Promised Land as quickly as possible for we have been slaves for over 4 centuries now and we want to get where we want to get to now!
But God (I just love those two words combined together!) had a reason, a plan, and a purpose for the detour. The Israelites couldn’t see it yet! God knew that the “shortest route” was through the land of the Philistines, where they would face war. “So, God said, ‘If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So, God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.”
Never question God’s detours! He sees things we can’t see. He has plans that we don’t understand. His purpose is far greater than our minds can conceive at the moment. Yes, it might be a roundabout way for you to get where God wants to take you, but it will still be the BEST route!
Detour ahead. Are you ready?
