The Long Way Home - by Brenda L. Yoder

It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistine, which was the shortest route, for God thought, "If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt."   Exodus 13:17

I read this verse recently. 

I relate in more ways than one.
God taking the newly released Israelites the
long way
 to the promised land.

Have you ever felt like God was taking you "the long way?"
That He was taking a jolly long time to get you from point A to point B, from one lesson to the next, or making you wait a while until He brings you to the place of rest?  Have you wondered why it takes you so long to learn a spiritual lesson and God seems so "easy" on others?

As I read this, my thought was "this is my life!"

The Long Road.

Maybe it's because I'm stubborn, whiny, and impatient like the chosen people.

God seemed to know them pretty well.  He knew if the-going-got-rough on the short road, they would go back to bondage.
How true it that of life?  How the short road, the easy answer, the quick fix often results in going back to the not-so-good situation.  I often see this when people want behavior to change quick and pain to go away now.  Truth says,

Endurance doesn't develop when the road is short.

Healing doesn't come when 

we don't work through the pain.

Healthy does not mean easy.

I'm encouraged by the knowledge God had of His people. 

He knew their weaknesses, just like He knows ours.

The roads He takes us on are purposeful

They are not always easy

They build strength, courage, 

wisdom and discernment.

When we reach the land of peace,

and look back to where we've been

we know truth 

we didn't know before

We did it!

And we can tell another 

whose long road seems hard.

and they want to take the easy way

You can do this.

I know, because I've made.

You're going to make it.

Let's walk, together.

This fall, I ran 13.1 miles with an inspiring friend.  Neither one of us thought we could do this four months ago.  Believe me, I was ready for the short route again.  But like other things in my life, I committed to make it through, to make it to the finish line.  This was hard, but I did it.

And so can you.  Whatever your long road is today, you can do it.  Your God knows your every weakness and He is building in you strength, endurance, courage and wisdom.  Don't give up.  Take the next step and the next.  You can do this.  You're going to make it.
"Dear Jesus, pour out your strength today on each and every reader who is in need of courage, encouragement, and stamina for the road they are on.  Let your presence be beside them and your Spirit empower them in each step to the land of peace. All of this, Lord, in your precious Name, that You will receive the praise, honor and glory as we walk each day, each step.  Amen.