Ooh, a Shortcut…. Not So Fast!

“Momma, momma, why can’t we just take the shortcut?” asked my four-year-old on the way to the doctor. He saw the doctor’s office in the distance and must’ve figured that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line—why not just take it?

“Because…”

I maneuvered the twists and turns through the medical complex as I tried to think of an answer he could understand.

“Sometimes we have to take the long way to get where we’re going.”

“But it’s just right there.”

“I know. But sometimes we can’t take shortcuts. There might be things we need to see on the long way—maybe something we need to learn.” Like patience, I told myself.

Isn’t that like life? Sometimes we’re in a situation for much longer than we anticipated.

• Singleness.
• Illness.
• Unemployment.
• Any type of life transition.

Like my son, we might say, “Why can’t we just take a shortcut, Lord?” Or, “Why is this taking so long, Lord?” Or, “How long, Lord?”

We’ve all been there.

Today, I want to remind you about the Israelites.

When the king sent the people out of Egypt, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was the shortest way.

 

God said, “If they have to fight, they might change their minds and go back to Egypt.” So God led them through the desert toward the Red Sea.

 

The Israelites were dressed for fighting when they left the land of Egypt. The Lord showed them the way; during the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud, and during the night he was in a pillar of fire to give them light.

 

In this way they could travel during the day or night. The pillar of cloud was always with them during the day, and the pillar of fire was always with them at night. (Exodus 13:17-22).

Dear one, God has a reason for taking you the “long” way. Be assured, that despite how long you’ve been in your situation, He is with you, and He will show you the way. He has not left you.

Sometimes it is frustrating to have to take the long route, but remember: We might not understand the road we travel, but we can rest that the Lord will direct our steps (Proverbs 20:24). He has good and perfect gifts in store for us (James 1:17).

Come alongside… What situation do you find yourself in today? How long have you been there? How can you trust God’s plan for you?